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South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen Council to vote on Crown Estate control in Wales
If agreed, the June 10 motion would make Torfaen the 22nd and final Welsh local authority to support the proposal, following a campaign by YesCymru. The Crown Estate is currently managed by the UK Government. YesCymru views the motion as an opportunity for a united Welsh stance on national sovereignty. YesCymru director Rob Hughes said: "Should we achieve unanimous support across all local authorities and the Senedd on Tuesday, the message from Wales will be loud and clear. "We call once again on the UK Government to do the right thing and transfer control of the Crown Estate to Wales." The motion in Torfaen has been introduced by Labour councillor for Fairwater Ward, Jayne Watkins. Mr Hughes has praised the cross-party collaboration that has pushed the campaign to this point. "When Wales works together, Wales works well," he said. "This campaign proves that radical, positive change is possible when people from all walks of life unite for the common good. "The future of Wales is ours to shape, and together, our potential is limitless."
South Wales Argus
11-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen Child Missing in Education procedures outlined
Councils are required to keep track of children and identify if they are missing from education. Torfaen Borough Council education officials, who were presenting information on school attendance to councillors, were questioned around its Child Missing in Education procedures. Fairwater Labour councillor Jayne Watkins asked how many such cases the department dealt with. Andy Rothwell, the council's head of learning and achievement, replied: 'Those cases not too many, last year five in total that we explored and shut down.' He said the department works with the council's benefits team, and nationally with HMRC the tax office, as well as the police to find where a child is if necessary and then a case can be 'shut down'. He added: 'There were two cases in America. It was discovered they'd moved to America and we were happy the local authority in America had eyes on those children.' A school to school tracking system is also used across the UK while education officer Claire Williams said names are also discussed at education panel meetings meaning children can be identified before the Child Missing in Education procedures are required. Mr Rothwell promised to share the procedures with Cllr Watkins after she asked what was meant by the report stating such children are identified 'quickly'. He said the procedures sets out what schools need to do and in what timeframe and also the timeframe, and what is required, of the local education authority.
Wales Online
10-05-2025
- Wales Online
Two 'missing' Welsh schoolchildren turn up in USA
Two 'missing' Welsh schoolchildren turn up in USA The surprising discovery was made in one part of Wales during discussions about children missing in education Two children 'missing' from a Welsh school turned up in America, councillors have been told (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto ) Two children 'missing' from a Welsh school turned up in America, councillors have been told. Councils are required to keep track of children and identify if they are missing from education. Torfaen education officials, who were presenting information on school attendance at a council meeting, were questioned on 'child missing in education' procedures. Fairwater Labour councillor Jayne Watkins asked how many cases of missing children the department had dealt with. Andy Rothwell, the council's head of learning and achievement, replied: 'Those cases not too many, last year five in total that we explored and shut down. "There were two cases in America. It was discovered they'd moved to America and we were happy the local authority in America had eyes on those children.' Mr Rothwell said the department works with the council's benefits team, police and the HMRC tax authority to find where a child is if necessary and then a case can be 'shut down." The meeting heard a school-to-school tracking system is also used and names are discussed at education panel meetings, meaning some children can be identified before the 'missing in education' procedures are required. Article continues below Mr Rothwell promised to share the procedures with Ms Watkins after she asked what was meant by the report stating that missing children are identified 'quickly'. He said the procedures set out what schools need to do and the necessary timeframe.
