PLANS to form an adult community learning partnership between Wrexham and Flintshire will be discussed later this month.

Wrexham Council have confirmed that this agenda will be discussed at this month's executive board meeting, which could see the formation of a joint Wrexham and Flintshire Adult Community Learning (ACL) Partnership from April 2021, in order to provide oversight and management of ACL across both local authority areas.

At the moment, Wrexham Council have responsibility for providing oversight of ACL in the County Borough, which includes administering the ACL Grant, as well as ensuring that partners collaborate to deliver high quality provision for learners.

ACL is regulated by Estyn and the partnership will be required to carry out self-evaluation on an annual basis alongside providing an annual service delivery plan to Welsh Government.

The Adult Learning Partnership must also attain, as a minimum, a judgement of at least ‘adequate’ in all key questions following an inspection by Estyn.

The funding priorities aligned to the Adult Learning Policy are:

  • Essential communication skills – including English for speakers of other languages.
  • Essential application of number skills.
  • Essential digital literacy skills.
  • Essential employability skills.

A spokesperson for Wrexham Council, said: "Across North Wales, there are two other partnerships that have been established for a number of years, namely Conwy and Denbighshire, and Ynys Mon and Gwynedd.

"Wrexham Council and Flintshire Council have operated separate partnerships due to the significant difference to its funding allocations from the Welsh Government Community Learning Grant (CLG), with our annual allocation for the period of 2019/2020 being £96,219, whereas Flintshire Council received circa £2,000.

"This was based on a historical formula used by Welsh Government which has now been rectified, therefore for 2021/2022 Wrexham Council expects to receive £199,205 and Flintshire Council will receive a significant increase to £216,152."

The new funding formula now provides the opportunity to combine both partnerships, which are in the main made up of the same delivery partners, including Coleg Cambria and Addysg Oedolion Cymru/Adult Learning Wales.

Wrexham Council stated that the Welsh Government are supportive of the proposal to combine both partnerships, as are both Wrexham and Flintshire ACL partnerships, as this will enable more effective strategic and operational decision making whilst also maximising the CLG for each area.

Cllr Phil Wynn, lead member for education, added: "This is an excellent opportunity to provide top quality Adult Community Learning across Flintshire and Wrexham and we welcome the opportunity to work together in the interests of our residents.

"I look forward to presenting the report and hope members agree that it is a positive move forward and will maximise both on our experience and the opportunities and expertise that exist with Coleg Cambria across the two areas."