MEETING OF THE SCHOOLS FORUM WEDNESDAY 16 JULY 2014 CHARVIL PIGGOTT PRIMARY SCHOOL PARK LANE, CHARVIL RG10 9TR

Transcription

1 MEETING OF THE SCHOOLS FORUM ON WEDNESDAY 16 JULY 2014 AT CHARVIL PIGGOTT PRIMARY SCHOOL PARK LANE, CHARVIL RG10 9TR AT 9.15AM (Please do not arrive before 9.00am) AGENDA UNCLASSIFIED Civic Offices Shute nd Wokingham Berkshire Andy Couldrick Chief Executive

2 To: The Chairman and Members of the Schools Forum A Meeting of the SCHOOLS FORUM will be held at the Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham on Wednesday 16 July 2014 at Charvil Piggott Primary School, Park Lane, Charvil RG10 9TR Andy Couldrick Chief Executive 8 July 2014 Schools Members:- Maintained Nursery Headteacher Phil Armstrong Primary Head - Vacancy Primary Head - Gorse Ride Junior Eileen Rogers Primary Head - Hawkedon Primary Alan Youd (Vice Chairman) Primary Head - Nine Mile Ride Primary AIi Brown Primary Head - St Nicholas CE Primary Christine Hyatt Primary Head - Wescott Infant Sally Hunter Primary Head - Emmbrook Junior Louisa Gurney (From the 7 Primary Heads only 4 votes are allowed) Secondary Head - St Crispin's Ginny Rhodes Secondary Head - The Emmbrook Nigel Matthias Secondary Head (Academies) - The Piggott Hilary Winter Special School Head - Addington School Liz Meek Special School Head - Southfield School Oominic Geraghty (From the Special School Heads only one vote allowed) Pupil Referral Unit - Foundry College Headteacher Mary Rome Governor John Bayes (Chairman) SEN Governor - Addington Special Nick Dyer Governor - John Hayes Governor vacancy Governor Wazir Khan Governor vacancy Non-Schools Members: Children's Services Early Years Forum Matt Marsden Charlotte Wilkinson

3 (only one vote allowed) Oxford Diocese Roman Catholic Diocese Wokingham Borough Council Member Wokingham Partnership/Post 16 provider Bracknell & Wokingham College Observers: Education Funding Agency, Maintained Schools Division Clare Sheppard Vacancy Vacancy lan Pittock Stephen King Funding Reform Team Item Ward Subject no None Specific MINUTES To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Forum held on 8 May Page no None Specific APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST To receive any declarations of interest None Specific FINAL SCHOOLS BUDGET 2014/ To receive and consider a report setting out the finalised Schools Budget for 2014/15, following the receipt of the final allocations None Specific SCHOOLS BUDGET 2014/15 FINANCIAL MONITORING - JUL Y To receive and consider a report giving details of the latest outturn position in the 2014/15 Schools Budget None Specific UNIVERSAL INFANT FREE SCHOOL MEALS- REQUEST FOR ALLOCATION OF FUNDS To receive and consider two reports setting out requests for the allocation of additional funds to support the implementation of Universal Infant Free School Meals Et For purchase of light goods and equipment For information leaflet and registration form None Specific ASPIRE- REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS To receive and consider a report setting out a request for additional funds to support the ASPIRE Project. 17

4 79.00 None Specific EARL Y YEARS BID FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS To follow To receive and consider report setting out a request the underspent funds from the Early Years Block be used to support family workers in Early Years settings None Specific SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS AND DISABILITY To REFORM IMPLEMENTATION follow To receive and consider a report setting out a request for funding to support the implementation of the reforms to the Special Education Needs and Disability services None Specific SCHOOL EXCESS BALANCES 24 To receive and consider a report giving details of the Schools' Balances carried forward into 2014/15; and review the criteria in the Clawback Mechanism for 2015/ None Specific SEN ALERT - UPDATE verbal To receive a verbal update None Specific SCHEME FOR FINANCING SCHOOLS 35 To receive and consider the changes to the Scheme for Financing Schools as directed by the Department for Education None Specific FORWARD PROGRAMME 70 To receive and consider the work programme for future meetings None Specific DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS To note the planned dates for future meetings: 22 October 2014 and 17 December January and 18 March ANY OTHER ITEMS WHICH THE CHAIRMAN DECIDES ARE URGENT A Supplementary Agenda will be issued by the Chief Executive if there are any other items to consider under this heading This is an agenda for a meeting of the Schools Forum If you need help in understanding this document or if you would like a copy of it in large print please contact one of our Team Support Officers. CONTACT OFFICERS Tricia Harcourt Senior Democratic Services Officer Tel

5 Administrators Tel /6054 Fax

6 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SCHOOLS FORUM HELD ON THURSDAY 8 MAY 2014 FROM 2.00PM TO 3.20PM Present:- WBC Member: lan Pittock Primary Headteachers: AIi Brown, Christine Hyatt, Neil Lyddiatt, Maintained Nursery Headteacher: Phi! Armstrong Secondary Headteachers: Nigel Matthias, Hilary Winter (Academies), Special Schools - Dominic Geraghty Governors: John Bayes (Chairman), Nick Dyer, John Hayes, Wazir Khan, WBC Children's Services: Matt Marsden Early Years Forum: Charlotte Wilkinson Observers: (Academies Directorate, Education Funding Agency) Also present:- Donna Munday, Schools Finance Manager Alan Stubbersfield, Interim Head of Learning and Achievement, Children's Services Tricia Harcourt, Senior Democratic Services Officer Nicky Barlow, Schools HR Manager (for Item 64) Rachael Maughan, Service Manager Procurement and Contract Management (for Item 63) The Chairman indicated that he would be taking Items 65 and 67, the Schools Budget items, first. 58. MINUTES The Minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 12 March 2014 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 59. APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were submitted from Step hen King, Mary Rome, Ginny Rhodes, Sally Hunter, Liz Meek, Clare Sheppard, and Alan Youd 60 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest. 61. SCHOOLS BUDGET 2013/14- FINANCIAL MONITORING MAY 2014 The Forum received and considered a report set out on Agenda pages 13 to 15, detailing the projected outturn position at the end of April 2014 on the Schools Budget funded by the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and the Education Funding Agency. Donna Munday presented the report and said that there had been a further increase in underspends to be carried forward from 1,215,000 to 1,607,000. This includes 521,000 which has been agreed to be carried forward, and will be allocated to those 1

7 specific purposes. The 142,000 underspend from the PRU's delegated budget can be carried forward for its use in 2014/15. This meant that the final unallocated amount will be 944,000. The movements from the last report were set out on page 13, and in the commentary in the table, this included the final DSG allocation of 324,000 which was received 24 February. lan Pittock pointed out that there is no 'reserve' in the Schools Budget and a suggestion was made that 350,000 should be added to the line School Specific Contingencies as a 'reserve' to cover additional need for building/maintenance works that might arise in a future financial year where there are two Easter holidays. Officers confirmed that any allocation from such a reserve would be available to be used by Schools and Early Years settings, with allocations being made at the Forum's discretion in response to need. RESOLVED: thatthe 2013/14 Schools Budget Monitoring report be noted. 62. SCHOOLS BUDGET 2014/15 - UPDATE The Forum received and considered a report set out on Agenda pages 17 to 19, giving an update on the proposed Schools Budget 2014/15. Donna Munday presented the report which listed the changes since the draft budget was presented at the March meeting and following the receipt of the DSG settlement on 31 March The changes were highlighted in the table on page 19 and in the commentary. She pointed out that: that the overall DSG settlement of 112,513,000 was higher than anticipated, with 91,944,000 paid to the Council for the Individual Schools Budgets and the provision of central services; and 20,569,000 paid direct to academies via the Education Funding Agency (EFA). However, because of the increase in the amount paid to the academies, now that The Forest School has become an academy; Notification of the allocations for the Pupil Premium from the EFA for 6 th form funding and have not yet been received; both are still estimates based on last year's figures. These grants are passported straight to schools; The allocations for the Universal Infant Free School Meal revenue funding will be received in June and passported to the schools. If a 87% take up is not achieved, there will be a clawback in the next financial year. RESOLVED: That: 1) the draft 2014/15 Schools Budget as set out on Agenda page 19 be agreed, with the acknowledgement that it is based on the DSG allocation as notified on 31 March ) The use of the increased carried forward amount be considered at the next meeting. 63. REQUESTS FOR RE-AllOCATIONS TO FUND THE PROVISION OF UNIVERSAL INFANT FREE SCHOOL MEALS The Forum received and considered two reports requesting the re-allocation of amounts to support the provision of Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) requirement. In Year Allocation from the Early Years Block, Agenda pages 6 and 7. Officers requested that this report be removed from the agenda, as there are technical inaccuracies and more work is needed. The principle of assisting schools with the impact 2

8 of implementation of the requirement to provided free school meals to all Key Stage 1 pupils from September 2014 could be considered. The representatives of both, the maintained and Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) Early Years settings made the following comments: as this was a one-off event it should be funded from the contingency; it was galling to propose taking it from the Early Years Block as settings are struggling so the underspend should be used to support them. the underspent funds should be used to allow the early years settings to support early intervention; it was no fair and equitable to the PVI settings to take the funds away. The Family Support Workers could be extended to help in early years which would provide continuity and the early intervention would help with narrowing the gap in achievement; The funds have been left because the 2 years old children were not targeted There was a general discussion about the huge impact of the UIFSM requirement on all affected schools; only schools with less than 150 pupils will be eligible for the set up grant from the Government. It was recognised that the funding from the Government was low and that there was a need for investment in facilities and equipment. Officers confirmed that a form indicating 'readiness' had recently been submitted, and there had been representations made from several people. It was suggested that the Early Years representatives put forward a proposal as to how they would like the surplus from the Early Years Block to be spent. Underspend from the Catering Contract Budget Agenda page 8 Rachael Maughan presented her report requesting the one-off allocation of the carry forward from the School Meals Contract Budget to invest in light equipment and core basic items that will be required by schools to ensure that the required meals and service can be provided to fulfil the UIFSM obligations from September Anything purchased would remain Council or school property; the type of equipment required was listed in the report. Rachael went on the say that the intention was to be able to place orders early so that the equipment into schools in good time before September. Officers have been carrying out an assessment for each school to identify what light equipment is needed; a full picture will be in place after 21 May. Those few schools not in the contract could be given advice from Council Officers. RESOLVED: That the carry forward amount of 130,000 from the 2013/14 School Meals Contract be used for the purchase of light goods and equipment to support the implementation of the Universal Infant Free School Meals requirement in September ACADEMIES' PARTICIPATION IN POOLED ARRANGEMENTS AND DE- DELEGATED FUNDING FOR UNION FACILITIES The Forum received and considered a report, set out on Agenda pages 9 to 12, requesting that Academies be allowed to pay into the pooled de-delegated fund used to pay for union facilities time; and allowing them to pay supply costs from the fund where they employ a union representative who represents staff across the Borough. Nicky Barlow presented the report and pointed out that teachers who are also union representatives are entitled to time off to undertake their union duties, which can involve 3

9 representing members across the Borough. More schools are becoming academies, and currently two of the local union representatives are employed by Academy schools. She went on to explain that the agreement with the unions is that an allocation is provided to fund one full time equivalent teacher (approx. 42,00) shared across the recognised teaching unions. The allocation is to fund supply costs and is based on the level membership of the unions in the Borough. There is also an allocation for Health & Safety, and support staff representation (approx. 16,000) and training (approx. 3,000). RESOLVED: That 1) Academy schools be allowed to pay into the de-delegated fund created to pay for union facilities time; 2) the de-delegated funds for supply costs be available for Academy schools who buy into the arrangement, where they employ a union representative. 65. REQUEST FOR DE-DELEGATION OF THE BUDGET FOR THE BERKSHIRE ADOLESCENT UNIT (BAU) The Forum received and considered a report, set out on Agenda page 16, requesting that the Berkshire Adolescent Unit (BAU), be allowed to de-delegate its 2014/15 budget, and for the Unit to provide a commissioned service to the Local Authority. Donna Munday explained that BAU is a small Pupil Referral Unit(PRU). Although in April 2013 budgets for PRUs were delegated to them to manage and give them greater autonomy, the BAU budget of 112,000 for that year was not delegated as the cost for BAU of doing its own administration, including payroll, recruitment and staffing matters, would be increased and there was no transition period. The request is to allow BAU to de-delegate its 2014/15 budget of 130,000, so that the Unit will not have to set up its own admin services, such as payroll, HR and financial systems. It was noted that the possibility of combining BAU with Foundry College in future would be investigated. RESOLVED: That the 2014/15 budget allocation for the Berkshire Adolescent Unit be de-delegated to allow the Unit to provide a commissioned service to the Local Authority. 66. BENCHMARKING The Forum received and considered a report which was circulated separately, providing bench marking data on selected Key Performance Indicators, and showing where the Borough Council sits in a national profile. Donna Munday pointed out the data only related to maintained schools and that it was difficult to make year on year comparisons as the situation keeps changing. National information is out of date, and for some measures, different areas allocate their funding on a different basis The Headline figures of total employee costs and other running costs show that Wokingham (WBC) is about average when compared with national figures. For Early Years (3 and 4 year olds) funding the comparison showed that within the South East, WBC 4

10 attracts the second lowest level of funding and WBC also pays the second lowest average hourly rate to early years settings for the care given to 3 and 4 year olds. However, the data for School Balances shows that in 2012/13 the national average balance was 7.5% of revenue income, whereas the average school balance in WBC was 5.2%. It was agreed that it would be useful to received information on the following in future bench marking reports: CD admissions; CD statemented pupils; III Free School Meals pupils RESOLVED: That the Benchmarking report be noted. 67. FORWARD PROGRAMME The Forum considered the Forward programme of work set out on Agenda page 20 agreed to the following amendments: CD 16 July - add benchmarking - further information CD 16 July - Budget 2014/15 - revisit use of increased carry forward CD 16 July - Early Years bid for additional funding 17 December - Berkshire Adolescent Unit - administrative merger 68. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS The date of the next Forum meeting is Wednesday 16 July 2014, 9.15am and it will be held at the Charvil Piggott Primary School, Charvil. Planned dates for future Forum meetings were noted as follows: 22 October, 17 December 2014, 21 January and 18 March 2015 The October meeting will be held at Willow Bank Junior School. These are the Minutes of a meeting of the Schools Forum If you need help in understanding this document or if you would like a copy of it in large print please contact one of our Team Support Officers. 5