To consider the review of de-delgated services.

Lynne Samuel took the Forum through the report regarding the review of the de-delegated services.

During the discussion of this item, the following points were made:

·       Previously when the Forum had looked at de-delegation for the current financial year, it had committed to a review of the remaining de-delegated items for the 2022/23 budget setting.  The report detailed work undertaken to date.

·       All maintained schools had been contacted and encouraged to be part of the process.  What had started as one group had divided into two smaller groups to look at different de-delegated items.

·       De-delegated items were only an option for maintained mainstream schools.  As the number of schools which academized grew, this number decreased.  This changed the landscape and the ability to de-delegate.

·       Each of the de-delegated services had been reviewed.  The cost of some of them had reduced as the number of maintained schools had reduced.   Others had a more fixed cost regardless of the number of maintained schools.

·       Lynne Samuel highlighted the recommendations which had come out of discussions.

·       De-delegated contingency – no funds had been allocated in this financial year and the £55,000 had been brought forward from last financial year.  There had been no call on it within year to date. 

Ø  It was recommended that the principle of a de-delegated contingency be retained but that no additional funds be de-delegated for the 2022/23 financial year. 

Ø  It was also recommended that an annual review continue to be undertaken to consider whether the balance should be topped up in the case of a draw down. 

Ø  It was recommended that there be a timeframe for discontinuation (2-3 years) linked to the annual review cycle, should there be no call on the funds.

Ø  The Group had recommended that the criteria and process be refreshed to ensure clarity for all maintained schools.

·       With regards to supply cover, it was identified that costs against this were undertaken via the Payroll system.  Some process issues had been identified which would be corrected going forwards.  Forum members were advised that the supply arrangements were more a cost sharing arrangement rather than an insurance policy commissioned on behalf of schools.  Recommendations were as follows:

Ø  That supply cover continued to be delegated for the 2022/23 financial year on a per pupil basis.

Ø  That a rolling 3 year average for maintained schools be considered for setting future year requirements.

·       With regards to licenses and subscriptions, costs associated with one of the systems had broadly been funded 50% through de-delegated and 50% through the Central Schools Services Block.  The Group had recommended that this be removed as a de-delegated offer and the full £150,000 be funded through the Central Schools Service Block for 2022/2023.  The Group also recommended that for 2023/24 onwards, and once the cost base for the new contract was known, any non-statutory costs be considered with relevant areas of Learning Achievement and Partnership, in setting their traded offer to both maintained schools and academies.

·       Support to underperforming Ethnic Minority Groups and Bilingual learners, and also the Foundry Primary Behaviour Outreach Service, presented more of a challenge as they were staffing based.  The costs of the service did not flex according to the number of maintained schools.  Work was ongoing in these areas.

·       Lynne Samuel stated that they would go back out to all maintained schools to ensure that they had seen the draft findings of the report.

·       Corinna Gillard indicated that feedback would be provided to all headteachers on what the Group had discussed so far and its findings.

·       Lynne Samuel thanked all those who had been involved in the Group’s work.

RESOLVED:  That the update on the review of the de-delegated services and the recommendations made be noted.