Calls for the county council to withdraw the threat of Fixed Penalty Notices for term-time holidays have been made ahead of the start of the next academic year.

Parents have received a letter from the council's Strategic Director for Education on the final day of the school year saying that from the start of the 2026-27 academic year, Monmouthshire County Council will be preparing for the introduction of the use of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for unauthorised holidays taken during term time.

But the Conservative opposition claim that the council's current Attendance and Engagement Policy states that FPNs should be used only as a last resort, following extensive engagement with families and after other interventions have been exhausted. The policy also describes fines as a measure used only in extreme cases.

They are concerned that the council has no authority to issue FPNs when no changes to the policy have been discussed by Cabinet, Full Council or even a scrutiny committee.

Cllr Richard John argued that any move towards issuing fines for term-time holidays should be subject to proper consultation with parents, schools and governors, alongside public scrutiny by elected councillors before any decision is taken.

School attendance is important and the council should continue working with schools and parents to tackle persistent absenteeism.

"However, if the Labour administration wishes to change its approach to term-time holidays and introduce the routine use of FPNs, that proposal must face proper consultation, scrutiny and a formal decision taken in public.

"The Council's own Attendance and Engagement Policy makes clear that Fixed Penalty Notices are intended to be a last resort after comprehensive engagement with families and only in extreme cases. The letter to parents appears to signal a very different approach.

"The Council should withdraw this threat of Fixed Penalty Notices and consult meaningfully with schools, parents and governors before reaching a decision."