Agenda and minutes

To receive the minutes of the meetings held on 27^th January 2009 and 24^th February 2009.

                        Resolved - That the Minutes of the meetings held on 27 January and 24 February 2009 be confirmed and signed.

Certain items are expected to include the consideration of exempt information and the Schools Forum is, therefore, recommended to resolve "That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to in the items listed below, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the respective paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information".

            Resolved - That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred in Agenda Item 7 on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information concerned (Minute 38 refers.)

            Nicki Archer (Deputy Group Finance Manager Schools) presented a report by the Group Director Children setting out budget monitoring information to the end of February 2009 in respect of the Schools Block Budget for 2008/09.

Nicki Archer commented on the changes since the last monitoring report which had reduced the projected overspend from £511k to £143k. She confirmed that work was continuing to try and reduce the overspend further by the end of the financial year. It was noted that if the final position remained as an overspend, it would be deducted from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation for 2009/10.

            Resolved – (1) That the Schools Budget financial projections for 2008/09 be noted.

(2) That the Group Director Children continue rigorous and robust monitoring of the Schools Block budget and bring monitoring reports to future meetings of the Schools Forum.

            Karen Murray (Group Finance Manager Children Services) presented a report by the Group Director Children setting out a proposed Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget for 2009/10.

She explained that the report was based on an indicative budget of £112m and as it was possible that pupil numbers could fluctuate slightly, the precise, final amount of DSG would not be known until it was announced in June. Dual registered pupils have reduced by at least 30 from the 2008 figures. The three-year old top-up was not included in the 2008/09 estimates but funding for an additional 36 pupils was received. It was unclear whether any top-up would be received for 2009/10.

Members noted that provision of £100k had been made for equal pay claims and it was explained that there was a requirement to include it but there would be further discussion at the next meeting on how it should be apportioned, when more details on the equal pay situation would be available. The Chair had received letters from St Francis CE Primary, Holy Family Catholic Primary and Oliver Tomkins Infant Schools on this issue and these would be included with the next agenda. Steve Colledge (Secondary Head) stated that should any of the budget provision be returned to schools, it should be based on the Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC) information for the year in which it was taken.

Karen Murray asked the Forum to note that there was likely to be a breach of the Central Expenditure Limit (CEL), referred to in paragraph 2.16 of the report. She confirmed that there would not be any comeback on this, the Forum simply needed to note and agree the breach.

Paddy Bradley (Director of Schools and Learning) referred to paragraph 2.17 regarding the Youth Education Project (YEP) and that there were concerns about certain aspects of the project. However, if this facility was no longer available, he was uncertain as to what could replace it. Mr Wells advised that SASH was happy with the Swindon Creative Educational Partnership (SCEP) side of the project but that standards were not being maintained for those students accessing YEP. There were serious reservations about the YEP side of the project, which put future funding in doubt. At the moment, the two projects were funded from the same budget allocation, which jeopardised SCEP provision should the allocation be withdrawn. If it was possible to differentiate the funding to YEP and SCEP, then the situation could be viewed differently. It was agreed that a decision on funding would be made at the next meeting, following further consultation with SASH and in the meantime the allocation would remain in the budget.

A decision on whether to widen the eligibility for set-up funding had been deferred from the January meeting to this one. Ian Bickerton (Director Access and Provision) distributed copies of the original report and reminded members of the proposals. In response to concerns about the need to set a balanced budget for 2009/10, he indicated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

The next meeting of the Schools Forum will be held on Tuesday 21 April 2009.

            It was noted that the next meeting of the Forum would take place on Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 4.00 p.m.

An exempt report providing the latest update for schools is to follow.

            The Schools Forum considered a report by the Group Director Business Transformation setting out proposals for resolving potential equal pay claims and providing an update on the Single Status project.

Members were angry at the late distribution of the report, as it prevented them from consulting with colleagues and the groups they represented. The Chair, Lauren Connor, proposed either that the meeting be postponed or there was a short adjournment to give time to read the report. Stuart McKellar (Director of Finance) explained that there was a risk management issue to be considered if a decision was delayed, as certain lawyers were beginning to contact staff regarding the possibility of potential appeals. It was agreed there should be an adjournment to read and consider the report.

Following the adjournment, the various representatives provided their views:

SASH – was happy to note the report but did not agree with the letter included as Appendix 1 as it did not provide any real information and would upset staff. It was also thought inappropriate for Heads to provide any advice as they did not have the relevant knowledge.

SAPH – was not happy with the letter in its current form and would want the reference to line manager removed if it was issued as they were not equipped to answer. Again, more information and guidance was needed if they were expected to offer any advice.

ASSSH – noted the report but did not like the letter as drafted. The expectation that Heads would offer advice put them in a vulnerable position.

Governors – would definitely not consider offering advice.

Diocese – noted the report but would not consider offering advice.

Peter Wells (Secondary Head and Chair of SASH) asked for clarification of the legal position should a head teacher inadvertently give out wrong advice. Mr McKellar confirmed that the position would be clarified but explained that Heads would not be expected to promote one course of action above another, only direct staff to the appropriate source of information.

Nick Capstick (Primary Head) stated that head teachers were happy to deliver whatever messages were required to their staff, but they needed proper information to do that and in this instance they just did not have it. Those that attended the Forum were fortunate in having access to additional information, but many Heads did not have this benefit, which could result in a potentially dangerous situation.

Members did not like the proposed letter, both for its lack of detail and for the general tone. It was suggested that if further details were not going be known until late April, then the letter should not be issued until May.

It was agreed that further details on Single Status and the Equal pay issue be submitted to the meeting on 21 April together with a revised form of letter to be issued to school staff.

            Resolved – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the letter, as set out in Appendix 1, not be issued until  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.