Issue - meetings

To consider items to be de-delegated for the 2019/20 budget.

Lynne Samuel stated that the De-delegated report contained in the agenda was the deferred paper from the last meeting of Schools Forum.

The Chairman explained that prior to 2019/20, a single financial figure for each of the primary and secondary phases was provided.  A Schools Forum decision was made to change to a calculation based on the number of pupils in schools for each phase.  Therefore, the total De-delegated figure was the same, but the allocation to each school was different and more reflective of school size.

The Chairman stated that this item required a number of votes for approval and that only maintained schools were entitled to vote.

In response to a question, Lynne Samuel stated that any underspend could be refunded to schools or go back to the respective item; this was a decision to be made by the maintained schools.

In response to a question the Chairman explained that the Task and Finish Group had considered each cost group and decided what the most appropriate basis for its allocation was.  The Task and Finish Group had concluded that a fixed fee for the licences was more appropriate as the cost did not vary based upon the number of pupils at the school, unlike the other lines which did vary depending on the number of pupils.

Members questioned if temporary funding from the De-delegated fund were returned by the beneficiary.  Members believed that Schools Forum had previously agreed that beneficiaries would return the money as if it was a loan.  Lynne Samuel questioned this and agreed to double check the agreement and the timing of it.

Upon being put to the vote, the maintained primary school representatives agreed to the following de-delegated items:

·           Contingency (school in financial difficulty and def. of closing schools)

·           Licences/subscriptions

·           Insurance

·           Staff costs - supply cover

·           Support to underperforming Ethnic Minority Groups and bilingual learners

·           Behaviour support services

Upon being put to the vote, the maintained secondary school representative agreed to the following de-delegated items:

·           Contingency (school in financial difficulty and def. of closing schools)

·           Licences/subscriptions

·           Insurance

·           Staff costs - supply cover

·           Support to underperforming Ethnic Minority Groups and bilingual learners

RESOLVED That:

1)    The maintained schools voted and decided on the delegated items as described above; and

2)    Officers would confirm the arrangement regarding beneficiaries re-funding of loans from the De-delegated Fund.