Agenda item

            Karen Murray (Group Finance Manager Children Services) presented a report by the Group Director Children regarding the final allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2008/09. It was explained that a small amount of surplus was always anticipated but the final figures for 2008/09 provided an amount of £961k and a proposed allocation was set out in Appendix A.

Members considered each of the proposals and discussed the following specific points:

Item 2, set-up costs for PS7 – the new school would be ready for September 2010 but it would operate in temporary accommodation from September 2009. New furniture and equipment would be required before that date though to ensure it was ready for the new term. Terri Menham (Primary Headteacher) stated that Reception and Year 1 were the most expensive year groups to set-up and an allocation of  £70k would be very tight. It was suggested that funding be allocated for two years, 2008/09 and 2009/10, with any surplus being rolled forward to the new school or to East Wichel Primary, which, as an additional new school, would also require set-up funding. The proposal was generally accepted although it was queried why the set-up costs had not been taken into account in the original budget but were only now being addressed. It was suggested that the Sub Group should consider the general principles surrounding the funding for set-up costs to ensure there was consistency in every situation and the implications were fully understood. At present, set-up funding was only available through the DSG for additional schools in growth areas and the Sub Group was therefore asked to consider whether this approach should be extended to new builds where there were predecessor schools, particularly as this had been formally raised with the Authority. The Forum also asked for the Sub Group to come back with a programme for future set up costs that would fall on the DSG.

Item 7, Forest School initiative – Lauren Connor (Chair and Primary Headteacher) explained that she had proposed this item because of the benefits to be gained from the initiative and also to ascertain whether it was an appropriate way to bring an item to the Forum. Members enquired whether the proposed funding was to cover the organiser’s post, or to support the training of Forest School Leaders and also raised several queries regarding possible funding for future years. It was agreed that a full report should be submitted to the next meeting and that the sum of £45k would remain unallocated until the subject had been properly examined and decided. It was also agreed that in the future similar issues should be submitted through the Group Director for the Forum’s consideration. 

Item 8, Swindon Young People’s Empowerment Programme – it was noted that this would be an ongoing requirement and Mrs Murray explained that the service provider had been asked to provide a business case for submission to the Forum. In the meantime it was agreed that funding would be provided until March 2010 when it would be reviewed.

Item 10, Health and Safety – members recognised the importance of continuing training or briefing sessions but it was commented that there were different issues relating to PFI schools, so training needed to be specifically tailored to requirements. Ian Bickerton (Director Access and Provision) stated that although there were differences, the basic legislation applied across the board. He explained that costs for the two planned events could either be met by a charge to the schools or by setting aside funds from the surplus DSG. The second option was preferred and he advised that it would also be helpful to set aside an amount in future years to fund events. It was appreciated that the £20k proposed was only an estimate, but any unused funding would be returned to the budget. 

            Resolved – (1) That it be noted that items 4, 5, the first part of item 6 (£20k) and the first proposal for item 12 detailed in Appendix A to the report have previously been agreed.

(2) That the allocation of funds, as set out in Appendix A to the report and detailed below, also be agreed:

• Item 1 - £55k
• Item 2 – set-up costs of £70k for two years, 2008/09 and 2009/10.
• Item 3 - £50k
• Item 6 – part 2 - £100k

    part 3 - £35k

    part 4 - £14k

    part 5 - £30k

• Item 8 - £40k – on the understanding that it was fixed until 2010 and

    would then be reconsidered.

• Item 9 - £80k
• Item 10 - £20k

(3) That the Sub-Group consider and examine the general principles regarding the funding of set-up costs to schools to ensure consistency and that all implications were fully understood and to suggest a programme for future set-up costs that would fall on the Dedicated Schools Grant.

(4) That a report be submitted to the next meeting regarding the Forest Schools initiative to fully explore the funding issues for this and future years.