The Corporate Director for Education and Family Support presented a report seeking approval from Cabinet for Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) to enter into an agreement with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (RCTCBC), Cardiff Council, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council regarding the Additional Learning Needs Transformation Grant 2021-2022.  He explained that the purpose of the ALN Grant was to support local authorities to develop and promote

innovative, multi-agency and cross-sector working practices to support learners with additional learning needs (ALN) and in the management of the implementation of the ALNET Act.

The Corporate Director for Education and Family Support explained that the

application for the ALN Grant was successful and an award of funding for up to £943,845 was made to RCTCBC as lead local authority which would be allocated to each council in accordance with the ALN Implementation Plan.

The amount available to local authorities, schools, further education providers and Health was £818,845 as there was a retained element of £125k for the employment of the regional ALN Transformation Lead and associated costs and administration and finance support. The allocation of grant spend for local authorities was £248,925 of which BCBC expected to receive £41,779.

The Cabinet Member for Education explained that as in the report, this was a Welsh Government Grant and they would receive about 17% which was roughly in line with the footprint on the Consortium. This would help many students in the County Borough with additional learning needs.

The Deputy Leader asked if the contract was for one year and if it was on the same footprint as the Central Services Consortium. The Corporate Director for Education and Family Support replied that that was correct. 

RESOLVED:       Cabinet:

 · approved the Council entering into the agreement with RCTCBC, Cardiff Council, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council regarding the Additional Learning Needs Transformation Grant 2021- 2022; and

 · delegated authority to the Corporate Director Education and Family Support to negotiate and agree the final terms of the agreement with the other Councils and enter and arrange execution of that agreement, subject to such Page 91 delegated authority being exercised in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Chief Officer – Legal and Regulatory Services, HR and Corporate Policy.