North West Regional Forum

Monday 6th June 2016

Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda

Item
No. / Agenda Item
Present:
Staff:Dafydd Rhys (DR) - Democracy Manager, Betty Mason (BM – LMNorth West), Buddug Wiliam (BW) – DWMon, Annabel Bohana (AB) – DW Gwynedd,Llinos Hicks – DW Conwy,Julie Roberts (JR), Sarah K Jones DW E-learning, Martyn Reed
Learner Forum Reps:Margaret Rees
IndividualMembers: Richard Speight, Toni Schiavone
Partner Members: Evie Wyn Jones (EWJ), Val Williams, Alan Thomas (Mantell Gwynedd)
Translator: SiônAled Owen
Apologies
David Elis-Williams – (DW), Rhys Roberts – CELLB, DilwynLlwyd (Neuadd Ogwen),, Coleg Harlechrepresentatives, Huw Williams, Toni Schiavone and Julie Roberts had broken down and arrived late.

Agenda

1. Welcome
2. Have your say! (An opportunity for all to prepare a brief statement that raises an issue or shares information about your branch, class or learner forum).
3. Report on the Campaign for Lifelong Learning prior to the National Assembly for Wales Election 2016
4. Motions for the EGM
5. Regional and voluntary movement changes
6. Reading by Tim Hartley
7. Debate between representatives of both the euro-referendum campaigns
8. Report from the regional representative and issues arising from the work and minutes of the Council (available on the WEA Cymru Website).
9. Learning Manager’s Report and regional issues and plans.
10. Minutes and matters arising.
11. Date of next meeting.
12.AOB
1 / Welcome
Dafydd Rhys opened the meeting and stood in as temporary chair in Rhys Roberts’s and Toni Shavonni's absence. It was explained that Richard Speight would be broadcasting the forum live via Facebook.
2 / Have Your Say
All introduced themselves and explained their connections with the organisation.
Alan Thomas explained the loneliness scheme co-ordinated by Mantell Gwynedd. The scheme is ending in December and it is hoped that BetsiCadwaladr will pick up the scheme for three years. The scheme provides a weekly visit, but it is desirable if the volunteer can drive and take the person out. The project has shown that men aged 50+ are less likely to come forward either as volunteers or to make use of the service. Any proposals for opportunities to work together would be welcomed.
3 / Report on the Campaign for Lifelong Learning prior to the National Assembly for Wales Election 2016
DR reported that four hustings were held in Bethesda, Holywell, Swansea and Cardiff.
RS reported that the hustings at Neuadd Ogwen had been well attended. He noted that whilst the opportunity had been provided for candidates to address the questions around adult education, most candidates focussed on other aspects of the campaign. The hustings also provided an opportunity to trial broadcasting the event on Twitter. Overall 2500 emails were sent by learners and supporters. Replies have been collected by DR and can be circulated upon request. UKIP were the only party that didn't respond to the email campaign.
RS felt that there was an opportunity with Kirsty Williams being responsible for the Education sector.
VW noted that we should also be looking at showing how the organisation addresses the Wellbeing agenda. RS stated that there is also the Digital Inclusion agenda which we should be a part of and he has been working closely with Digital Communities Wales.
It was agreed that we should be looking at enhancing the use of digital tools to present opportunities to bring learning groups together, host forums, etc.
4 / Motions for the AGM
New Organisational Name: The proposed name of Adult Learning Wales was discussed. There was a discussion about the Welsh version of the name and whether a bilingual name was effective and practical. BW put forward the suggestion that GALW would be a possible suitable acronym. It was suggested that people should cast their vote based on their convictions rather that put forward an amendment from the forum as there was a split in opinion.
Governance: It was noted that there were two motions on the topic of governance, the second one put forward by Jeremy Gass and Graham Price. TS stated that he will speak at the EGM as the motion from Council as it stands does not ensure the place of the regional forums and therefore does not guarantee a strong voice from all parts of Wales. He stated that it was important for regional representation to continue. Concern was expressed that an assembly might not have the skills to perform the scrutiny role. There was further concern about the financial cost of holding an assembly twice yearly.
It was stated that in the meeting of the Regional Forum representatives an agreement was in favour of the second motion but if that failed, an amendment should proposed that would secure six regional forum representatives. TS proposed support for the amendment.
Seconded by EvieWyn Jones. All were in favour.
5 / Regional and voluntary movement changes
New regional structure: The proposed draft structure with three regions and a reduction in management representation on the operational management team was discussed. Concerns for the future of certain centres such as Bryn Menai. Concern was also expressed about how effective the provision and delivery would be across North Wales if the proposed structure were adopted. The view was put forward that without regional teams to build up community curriculums the delivery of community learning would cease and the colleges would step in to engage learners.
6 / Reading by Tim Hartley:Tim Hartley provided an insightful and entertaining talk on his book, Kicking off in North Korea. This was followed by a broad discussion on the highlights and perils of travelling to post-communist countries.
7 / Debate between representatives of both the euro-referendum campaignsThe paper was circulated for information.
Although representatives were invited to speak for both sides, no one came forward to speak.
8 / Report from the regional representative and issues arising from the work and minutes of the Council (available on the WEA Cymru Website)
TS is happy for people to contact him directly to highlight issues.
9 / Learning Manager’s report and regional issues and plans
BM gave a brief update.
10 / Minutes and matters arising
The minutes circulated with the agenda were approved.
11 / Date of Next Meeting
October - tbc
12 / AOB
TS will be moving home and therefore a new regional forum representative will need to be appointed.
Action: DR to approach IwanHywel as a possible replacement to Toni as Forum representative.

Minutes of North West Regional Forum – 11.11.2015

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