A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Council and councillors

Agenda and minutes

Venue: https://zoom.us/j/92437115905

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes and Actions from the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 352 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Schools’ Forum held on 11th February 2021

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Schools’ Forum held on the 11th February 2021 were confirmed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

 

There were no actions from the previous meeting.

2.

Declarations of Interest

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.

 

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made. 

3.

Petitions, Deputations and Questions

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.

(5 MINUTES for items 1, 2, 3)

 

 

Minutes:

None received

4.

Funding Update pdf icon PDF 188 KB

To receive a report from Andrew Merry

(ITEM FOR INFORMATION)

(10 MINUTES)

Minutes:

A report was received from Mr Andrew Merry. During the discussion, the following points were noted:

 

i.          The High Needs budget showed an overspend of £118k for the year 2020/21.  This resulted in a total deficit on the DSG reserve for high needs of £576k.

ii.         Great concern was expressed regarding the SEND funding as it was not even covering the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) costs let alone supporting other children with SEND issues.

iii.        Nominal TA hours would also need discussing as the current rate was not assisting schools.  Options needed to be discussed that that may even save money by not using TA’s. 

iv.        It was agreed that a separate working group would need to be established to discuss the SEND funding and Early Years funding in greater detail.

v.         It was agreed that the working group would need representatives from RCC including Mr A Merry, Ms B Caffrey and Ms L Crookenden Johnson

vi.        It was agreed that Mr R Gooding and Mrs S Milner would determine what was needed from the Local Authority to aid future discussions regarding funding and arrange a meeting of the working group before the summer break or in early September.

ACTION: Mr R Gooding and Mrs S Milner

vii.      Mr Merry stated that money from the central block funding could not be transferred to the high needs funding but that he would double-check the regulations to confirm. 

viii.     Mr Merry also confirmed that he would investigate the regulations regarding the early years funding to see if money could be transferred to support the high needs funding.

ACTION: Mr A Merry

AGREED: 

a.         The Schools’ Forum noted the outturn position for 2019/20 Dedicated Schools Grant

b.         The Schools’ Forum noted the forecast position for 2021/22

 

5.

DSG Recovery Plan: Update & SEND: Extension of Contract pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To receive a report from Louise Crookenden-Johnson

(ITEM FOR INFORMATION)

(20 MINUTES)

Minutes:

A report was received from Ms Louise Crookenden Johnson that covered agenda items 5 and 6.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

 

i.          The Department for Education (DfE) no longer required formal submission of a recovery plan where the overall deficit exceeded 1%. 

ii.         The local authority must:

 

a.    Provide information as and when requested by the DfE about its plans for managing its DSG in the 2021/22 financial year.

b.    Provide information as and when requested by the DfE about pressures and potential savings on its high needs budget.

c.    Meet with officials from the DfE as and when requested to discuss the local plans and financial situation.

d.    Keep the Schools’ Forum regularly updated about the DSG account and plans for handling it, including high needs pressures and potential saving.

 

iii.        Mr Stuart Williams reported to the group that the work and support provided by the Education Inclusion Partnership (EIP) Co-ordinator, Caroline Crisi was excellent and that her time had been extended to 3 days per week from April 2021.

iv.        The Primary EIP panel had accepted 80 cases since instigation (80 referrals / 69 open / 11 closed for moving out of County or progressing to an EHCP.

v.         The feedback from schools was that the Social Emotional and/or Mental Health (SEMH) teachers had proved to be a great investment in helping underpin inclusionary practice across the Primary network.

vi.        The Secondary phase of the EIP plans were being piloted, the focus for each school had been agreed with the Secondary inclusion leaders and the Coordinator had a plan of action for the forthcoming year.

vii.      It was proposed that a larger portion of the SEND recovery fund be used to support the CIP Coordinator’s ongoing work.

viii.     Mr Merry confirmed that the funding rate for the payment of EHCPs was decided/confirmed by the Schools’ Forum.

ix.        Mr Williams informed attendees that the recovery plan was not a short-term, quick fix solution.  It would be a long-term plan and that progress had been lost due to the pandemic and resulting lockdown.

 

AGREED:

That the Schools’ Forum:

 

a.         Noted the Recovery Plan priorities set out and the proposed budget for the coming year 2021-2022 and noted and acted on the associated Recovery Plan Risks and Issues Log in Appendix A

b.         Noted the extended Education Inclusion Panel coordination role (and when approved by RCC Cabinet) the plan to move to a direct award of contract.

c.         Noted the shortfall in SEND Secondary education places in forthcoming years and supported and directed the proposed actions to remedy the situation.

6.

School Capacity (SCAP) and Pupil Place Planning

To receive an update from Gill Curtis, Head of Learning and Skills

(ITEM FOR INFORMATION)

(5 MINUTES)

Minutes:

An update was received from Gill Curtis.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

 

i.           Secondary School Admissions – Sept 2021

·                  All Rutland resident children have been offered a place at a preferred school

·                  At the time of the meeting, all 3 Rutland secondary schools were oversubscribed:

 

-   Casterton College Rutland – 70 on waiting list / 18 appeals scheduled to be heard on 16 June

-   Catmose College – 18 on waiting list

-   Uppingham Community College – last 2 students on waiting list offered a place

 

ii.         Primary School Admissions – Sept 2021

·                  All Rutland resident children have been offered a place at a preferred school

·                  The following primary schools are oversubscribed:

 

-   Catmose Primary School – 8 on waiting list

-   Empingham CE – full but no waiting list

-   Great Casterton CE – 9 on waiting list

-   Leighfield PS, Uppingham – 1 on waiting list

-   Ryhall CE – 9 on waiting list

 

iii.        In-Year Admissions

·                  Continued pressure in Year 9 with all 3 secondary schools full

 

 

Secondary school admissions – normal round

 

September 2021

September 2020

September 2019

Total Rutland resident applications received and processed

377

347

371

Total Rutland resident applications submitted online

356 (94%)

319 (92%)

337 (91%)

1st preference offers to Rutland residents

349 (93%)

319 (92%)

335 (90%)

2nd preference offers to Rutland residents

16 (4%)

10 (3%)

16 (4%)

3rd preference offers to Rutland residents

2 (0.5%)

3 (1%)

1 (0.5%)

No preference met – no alternative offered

10 (2.5%)

15 (4%)

19 (5.5%)

Rutland residents offered one of their preferred schools

367 (97%)

332 (96%)

352 (94.8%)

 

 

Primary school admissions – normal round

 

September 2021

September 2020

September 2019

 

Total Rutland resident applications received and processed

344

345

359

Total Rutland resident applications submitted online

333 (96.8%)

314 (91%)

332 (92.5%)

1st preference offers to Rutland residents

332 (96.5%)

338 (98.0%)

342 (95.3%)

2nd preference offers to Rutland residents

10 (2.9%)

3 (0.9%)

16 (4.4%)

3rd preference offers to Rutland residents

1 (0.3%)

1 (0.2%)

0 (0%)

No preference met – no alternative offered

1 (0.3%)

3 (0.9%)

1 (0.3%)

Rutland residents offered one of their preferred schools

343 (99.7%)

342 (99.1%)

358 (99.7%)

 

 

7.

Early Years Update pdf icon PDF 229 KB

To receive an update from Mary Darlington

(ITEM FOR INFORMATION)

(10 MINUTES)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report was received from Mrs Mary Darlington.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

 

i.          Mrs Darlington confirmed that the Schools’ Forum Early Years Working Party had been disbanded following completion of its objectives. 

ii.         It was suggested that a new Schools’ Forum Early Years Working Group be established with the following objectives:

 

a.    To consider and assess how best to resolve the issue of the overspend within the Early Years block reported in the Schools Budget 2016/17 Outturn paper.

b.    To ensure hourly rates going forward remained affordable with the Early Years block

c.    To ensure settings remained sustainable and childcare sufficiency was maintained

 

iii.        The items of funding and SEND funding would be discussed at the first meeting of the new working party group.

iv.        Mr Merry reported that the first meeting would not have an RCC finance representative attending due to a prior engagement but it was planned that a representative would attend future meetings.

v.         The new working group would report back to the Schools’ Forum as the previous working party had.

vi.        Mrs Darlington confirmed that she would attend the Schools Forum meeting in September before retiring.

 

8.

Any Urgent Business

 

(5 MINUTES FOR FINAL AGENDA ITEMS)

Minutes:

i.          Mr R Shore officially tended his resignation from the RCC Schools’ Forum as he would be retiring at the end of July.

9.

Forward Plan for 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 262 KB

Minutes:

i.          The forward plan was discussed.  No changes were requested.

10.

Meeting Dates

·         Thursday, 16th September 2021, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m.

·         Thursday, 9th December 2021, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m.

·         Thursday, 3rd March 2022, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m.

 

It will be confirmed nearer the date/time if the meeting will be held virtually or in person.

Minutes:

·         Thursday, 16th September 2021, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m.

·         Thursday, 9th December 2021, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m.

·         Thursday, 3rd March 2022, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m.

Summary of Actions

No.

Ref.

Action

Person

1.     

4

Mr R Gooding and Mrs S Milner to determine what was needed from the Local Authority to aid future discussions regarding funding and arrange a meeting of the working group before the summer break or in early September.  

 

Mr R Gooding and

Mrs S Milner

2.     

4

Mr Merry stated but that he would double-check the regulations to confirm that:

 

a.    money from the central block funding could not be transferred to the high needs funding

 

b.    money could be transferred from the early years funding to support the high needs funding.

 

Mr A Merry