In July, just before school broke up for summer, parents and carers of children in Monmouthshire schools were told the council would be ‘preparing’ to introduce penalty notices for those who take their children out of classes for holidays during term time.

From September, Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) will start to look into ways of how it can implement the policy. When The Chronicle first approached MCC to comment on the issue, they said that this included laying the foundations for the scrutiny process and thinking about how it could possibly be implemented if it becomes policy for the county’s schools.

However, the opposition Conservative group has said that the ‘threat’ of Fixed Penalty Notices should be repealed and maintains that no announcement should have been made without prior discussion with the Full Council, Cabinet or even a scrutiny committee.

"School attendance is important and the council should continue working with schools and parents to tackle persistent absenteeism,” said their leader, Cllr Richard John.

"However, if the Labour administration wishes to change its approach to term-time holidays and introduce the routine use of Fixed Penalty Notices, 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.”

"Many parents work in sectors such as agriculture, tourism and hospitality where annual leave is often restricted to particular times of year. Others face significant financial pressures and find that travelling during school holidays is simply unaffordable.”

"The Council should withdraw this threat of Fixed Penalty Notices, bring any proposed changes forward through the proper democratic process and consult meaningfully with schools, parents and governors before reaching a decision."