To receive and consider a report containing details of insurance for maintained schools.

Lynne Samuel presented the Insurance for Maintained Schools report.

Lynne Samuel stated that the report contained the update from the Task and Finish Group which had been set up as per Schools Forum request to look at insurance arrangements for maintained schools.

Lynne Samuel stated that due to technical issues, the final report had not been published in the agenda, she would circulate the completed report with the minutes.

Lynne Samuel stated that the Task and Finish Group had been gathering information about insurance experience from Wokingham and other local authority’s maintained schools and academies, and also information about Risk Protection Arrangements (RPA).

The report provided the detail of the insurance cover offered by the Council.  It was recognised that currently insurance could be purchased at a lower rate through RPA.

Lynne Samuel stated that it was proposed to remove insurance as a de-delegated offer from the 2021/22 financial year. In its place the Council would review the overall funding model and offer a revised arrangement to allow schools to purchase required cover directly through the Council’s insurance team.

Lynne Samuel stated that an update report containing insurance options would be brought to the next meeting of Schools Forum.

RESOLVED That:

1)     The de-delegated insurance offer would be removed from the 2021/22 financial year;

2)     Schools Forum would receive further updates on insurance options.