Agenda item

            The Forum considered a report submitted by the Finance Manager, Education, setting out the level of school balances, particularly regarding the planned use of 2016/17 surplus balances during 2017/18 and the use of 2017/18 surplus balances in 2018/19 and beyond.  She referred to the estimated school revenue balances expected to be held on 31^st March 2018 as forecast by schools in June 2017 and elaborated on the estimated school revenue balances expected to be held on 31^st March 2019 and 31^st March 2020 as forecast by schools in June 2017.  She commented on the target balances to be held by schools on 31^st March 2018, based on the per pupil values previously agreed by Schools Forum. 

            In response to a query regarding St Luke’s Special School, the Head of Education gave a verbal update and stated that the local press had reported on the staffing difficulties at the school.  He referred to the actions being undertaken to support the school and confirmed that there may be financial implications for these actions in the future.

            The Schools Forum welcomed the Finance Manager, Education’s offer of working closely with schools.  Referring to to members’ concerns regarding Robert le Kyng’s Primary School and Specialist Resource Provision expenditure, the Finance Manager, Education, confirmed that the school’s administration had been made aware that financial assistance by the Schools Forum was not an option.

            Resolved – That it be noted that:

            (a) the school’s surplus balances brought forward at 1st April 2017 was £4.6m and that the schools were committed to use these balances in 2017/18.

            (b)  the school’s estimated surplus balances to 31^st March 2018 was £3.7m

and that the schools were committed to use these balances in 2018/19.

            (c) based on the balance returns received, 25 schools brought forward 2016/17 uncommitted balances which exceed the target per pupil values agreed by the Forum and 21 schools plan to hold uncommitted balances on 31st March 2018 which exceed the target per pupil values previously agreed by the Forum.

            (d) target balances to be held by schools were based on the per pupil values previously agreed by Schools Forum and were compared to the actual  (e) analyses show that schools’ planned to use the surplus balances as of March 2017 in 2017/18.

            (f) the indicative future balances to be held by schools at 31st March 2019 and 31st March 2020, taken from the three year budget plans submitted by schools in June 2017, was detailed in paragraphs 3.12 to 3.14, Table 3 and Appendix D.

            (g) the number of schools forecasting balances on 31st March 2018, 31st March 2019 and 31st March 2020 was detailed in paragraphs 3.15,  3.16 and Table 4.

            (h) the school balances claw back mechanism remained in place and the circumstances for schools to apply for this was to be implemented by the Local Authority.

            (i) the information on Robert Le Kyng Primary Schools’ balance and Robert Le Kyng Primary Special Resource Provisions’ balance was referred to in paragraphs 3.21 to 3.24 of the report.

            (2) That the Finance Manager, Education, be requested to circulate information regarding the make-up of “other specific projects” as highlighted in Table 2, 3.11 of the report.