Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the 2020-21 Revenue Monitoring report.

Katherine Vernon presented the 2020/21 Revenue Monitoring report.  She stated that the HNB continued to represent a pressure.  The cumulative forecast deficit was £4,889k.

Katherine Vernon stated that due to Covid-19 situation, the review work that was planned had been interrupted.

Katherine Vernon stated that although the expansion of Addington presented a pressure, this was lagged funding which would be received next year.

Sal Thirlway, Assistant Director for Learning Achievement and Partnerships stated that some of the expenditure was part of a broad review which was linked to work being undertaken to increase the provision of specialist places within the Borough and ultimately reduce the deficit in the HNB.  He stated that more children were being placed in the Borough as a result of the Council’s strategy.

Ginny Rhodes asked if all Year 6 SEND children had been allocated a place at Year 7 in September and if this would have an impact on the budget.  Sal Thirlway stated that not all Year 6 children had secured a place in Year 7and there could be some impact in September 2021, but they were looking to mitigate that impact and to keep as many children in the Borough as possible.

In response to a comment, Sal Thirlway stated that as well as investing in creating more placements in the Borough, there was also a whole range of activities in reviewing and improving operational processes.

The Chairman complimented Officers on the work which had already been undertaken to tackle the HNB overspend, including speaking to the Department for Education (DFE) and taking senior strategic decisions.  He asked that a report be brought to Schools Forum detailing the long term strategy, so that Forum could have a clear picture of the long term financial plan.

RESOLVED That:

1)     The report be noted; and

2)     The HNB Strategy would be presented to Schools Forum.