To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Schools’ Forum held on 9 June 2016

The minutes of the meeting of the Schools’ Forum held on 9 June 2016, copies of which had been previously circulated, were confirmed as a true and accurate record of the meeting. 

Item 6 – Mr Fowler advised the Forum that the Council had successfully recruited to the SEN Officer post and Claire McArthur would be taking up this appointment from 3 October 2016.

In accordance with the Regulations, Members are invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests in respect of items on this Agenda and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive any petitions, deputations and questions received from Members of the Public in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 217.

The total time allowed for this item shall be 30 minutes.  Petitions, declarations and questions shall be dealt with in the order in which they are received.  Questions may also be submitted at short notice by giving a written copy to the Committee Administrator 15 minutes before the start of the meeting.

The total time allowed for questions at short notice is 15 minutes out of the total time of 30 minutes.  Any petitions, deputations and questions that have been submitted with prior formal notice will take precedence over questions submitted at short notice.  Any questions that are not considered within the time limit shall receive a written response after the meeting and be the subject of a report to the next meeting.

No petitions, deputations or questions were received from members of the public.

---oOo---

Mrs S Milner joined the meeting at 4.10pm

---oOo---

To receive a report from Dawn Greaves, Finance Manager - Accounting

Schools’ Forum NOTED the content of the Schools Budget 2016/17 Update & Appendix 1 Forecast outturn 2016/17 paper.

To receive a report from Mark Fowler, Head of Learning and Skills

Mr Fowler advised Schools’ Forum that it is likely there will be a SEND inspection in the near future. An internal review of SEND services has been started to identify strengths, weaknesses and initiate strategic planning for the future. An Inclusion Working Group has been established which includes a number of Head Teachers and this Group has already started to meet.

Ms Greaves presented the paper High Needs Funding, which details how the budget is set and that for 2016/17 there is a forecast overspend of £114.1k. Schools’ Forum were advised that the Council no longer retains a contingency fund from DSG to cover any overspend. Schools’ Forum were asked to consider the options for funding the overspend given in the paper.

During discussion the following was noted:

·         It is very early in the academic year and the forecasted overspend may not materialise or be as great as currently anticipated.

·         What is best for the individual student must be of paramount importance.

·         Parental choice of an in or out of county placement has an impact on costs.

·         Whilst numbers of students with additional needs fluctuates each year, schools have to retain experienced staff.

·         Unlike previously, it will not be possible to move funds from Schools or Early Years Blocks to cover High Needs expenditure.

·         The Council should consider collaboration with neighbouring authorities to deliver services.

Schools’ Forum AGREED any overspend would be recouped from the 2017/18 schools block allocation as per the agreed funding formula.  Ms Greaves advised that it would be possible to advise each school in January/February 2017 of the anticipated amount they would be liable for.

To receive a report from Mark Fowler, Head of Learning and Skils

Mr Fowler presented the paper Changes to Funding Formula for 2017/18. Schools’ Forum NOTED the contents and discussed. The following points were made:

·         Rutland will be disadvantaged if the Early Years National Funding Formula as currently being consulted on goes ahead. Closing dates for responses to the consultation is 22 September 2016.

·         Mrs Darlington advised the Forum that she had spoken with several nursery care providers recently and it was felt that this will negatively impact most nurseries. The minimum wage and introduction of changes to pensions in the future are also a concern.

·         Free child care provision is due to rise from 15 hours per week per child to 30 hours.

·         Nursery providers may struggle to recruit and retain suitably qualified staff if salaries are restricted.

·         The Local Authority has a duty to ensure there are sufficient childcare places but this will be increasingly difficult if private nursery providers withdraw.

·         Currently, Rutland has a good reputation for its provision of early years care.  There is good capacity generally, places are accessible, but there is an awareness of pressure points such as holiday childcare.

To receive a verbal update from Mark Fowler, Head of Learning and Skills

Mr Fowler advised the Forum that all schools have been graded red, amber or green in terms of requiring improvement. Currently, arrangements are in place for two schools graded red (requiring substantial improvement) that is drawing on the £50k previously set aside for this purpose.   

None received.

Proposed 2017 meeting dates to be agreed:

·         Thursday, 12 January 2017

·         Thursday, 30 March 2017

·         Thursday, 8 June 2017

·         Thursday, 21 September 2017

All meetings to be held 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Catmose

Proposed Agenda Items:

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 12 January 2017 at 4.00 pm at RCC, in the Council Chamber.

The following additional meeting dates were agreed for 2017:

Thursday 30 March 2017

Thursday 8 June 2017

Thursday 21 September 2017