Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.  However, Councillor Horton wished to record that she is a governor at Craneswater Junior School.

Purpose

To inform the Cabinet Member of the revenue expenditure position within the Education portfolio cash limit for the financial year 2015-16. This report sets out the budget position and contributing factors to the final portfolio underspend at the end of the financial year.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

(1) Note the Education service outturn position for 2015/16, of £409k under the approved cash limit provision, and that this has been offset against the Children's Social Care overspend position for that year.

(2) Note the anticipated cash limit pressure for the 2016/17 financial year; and that this will continue to be monitored and reported regularly during the year.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Richard Webb, Finance Manager. In response to a question the following points were clarified:

·         There has been an overspend in respect of the Home to School Transport budget in recent years. However, previously approved change to the Home to School Transport policy is assisting in reducing these financial pressures.

DECISION:

The Cabinet Member:

(1)   Noted the Education service outturn position for 2015/16, of £409k under the approved cash limit provision, and that this has been offset against the Children's Social Care overspend position for that year.

(2)  Noted the anticipated cash limit pressure for the 2016/17 financial year; and noted that this will continue to be monitored and reported regularly during the year.

Purpose of report

The purpose of this report is to inform the Cabinet Member of the year-end outturn position as at the end of March 2016 for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and to propose revisions to the DSG budget for 2016-17.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

(1)  Note the year-end outturn budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at the end of March 2016 and the variance explanations contained within this report.

(2)  Approve the revised DSG budget for 2016-17 as set out in Appendix 1.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Alison Egerton, Group Accountant.  In response to a question the following point was clarified:

·         As mainstream schools continue convert to Academy status, the 2016/17 budget will need to be revised throughout the year to reflect the fact that their funding will be paid directly by the Education Funding Agency and not via the Council.

DECISION: The Cabinet member:

(1)  Noted the year-end outturn budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at the end of March 2016 and the variance explanations contained within this report.

(2)  Approved the revised DSG budget for 2016-17 as set out in Appendix 1.

Purpose of report

To inform the Cabinet Member of the level of maintained schools' revenue and capital balances as at 31^st March 2016.

RECOMMENDED

That the Cabinet Member notes the level of maintained schools' revenue balances and capital balances as at 31^st March 2016 as shown in Appendices 2 & 3.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Alison Egerton, Group Accountant. In response to questions the following points were clarified:

·         The Council could consider implementing a clawback mechanism but could only claw back uncommitted balances from maintained schools which would be re-distributed to both LA schools and academies.

·         The LA has written to all schools to remind them that they should ensure their funds are spent on improving education for pupils.  Officers are satisfied that the schools investigated within the report have plans for managing their resources.

·         Officers have strengthened the classification on committed and uncommitted balances and schools are aware that their balances are being monitored.

DECISION: The Cabinet Member noted the level of maintained schools' revenue balances and capital balances as at 31^st March 2016 as shown in Appendices 2 & 3.

Purpose of report

To provide the Cabinet Member with an initial summary and impact assessment, of the proposals contained within the 'school funding formula' consultation documents issued by the Department for Education (DfE) on the 7^th March 2016.

RECOMMENDED: that the Cabinet Member:

(1)  Notes the Department for Education's proposed changes to the school funding arrangements and the potential impact of these changes, as set out within this report;  and in particular:

2017-18

                                              i.        The transitional period for 2017-18 and 2018-19. Funding to Local Authorities would be allocated on a national formula basis, but Local Authorities would continue to distribute this to schools based on a local formula.

                                            ii.        Additional ring-fencing. The 'Schools Block' funding will be ring-fenced within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

                                           iii.        Creation of a new 'Central Schools Block' which will include the 'retained duties' element of the Education Services Grant (ESG).

                                           iv.        The Introduction a formulaic method for distributing High Needs funding from central to local government from 2017-18 (including Special Education Needs (SEN) and Alternative Provision (AP)).

                                            v.        The proposed fundamental review of Schools Forum.

2019-20

                                           vi.        The implementation of a single National Funding Formula from 2019-20 (at a school level), with funding being passed directly by the Education Funding Agency.

                                         vii.        Withdrawal of current de-delegation arrangements.

(2)  Note the submission of the response to stage 1, of the Department for Education's consultation, as shown at Appendix 1.

(3)  Endorse the creation of a working group to guide and inform the development of the local funding arrangements for 2017-18 and 2018-19 as set out in section 10.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Richard Webb, Finance Manager. 

Councillor Young advised that he was very concerned about the proposed changes and he had made a representation to the LGA to seek the views of other local authorities as some areas will be particularly hard hit.  However until local authorities have the complete information, it was difficult to model. 

Officers advised that they had written to the DfE to seek further clarification as to when the next stage of the consultation was anticipated to be released. 

Officers advised that they have established working group representatives who are ready to work on the development of the future funding proposals.

DECISION: The Cabinet Member

(1)  Noted the Department for Education's proposed changes to the school funding arrangements and the potential impact of these changes, as set out within this report;  and in particular:

2017-18

                                              i.        The transitional period for 2017-18 and 2018-19. Funding to Local Authorities would be allocated on a national formula basis, but Local Authorities would continue to distribute this to schools based on a local formula.

                                            ii.        Additional ring-fencing. The 'Schools Block' funding will be ring-fenced within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

                                           iii.        Creation of a new 'Central Schools Block' which will include the 'retained duties' element of the Education Services Grant (ESG).

                                           iv.        The Introduction a formulaic method for distributing High Needs funding from central to local government from 2017-18 (including Special Education Needs (SEN) and Alternative Provision (AP)).

                                            v.        The proposed fundamental review of Schools Forum.

2019-20

                                           vi.        The implementation of a single National Funding Formula from 2019-20 (at a school level), with funding being passed directly by the Education Funding Agency.

                                         vii.        Withdrawal of current de-delegation arrangements.

(2)    Noted the submission of the response to stage 1, of the Department for Education's consultation, as shown at Appendix 1.

(3)  Endorsed the creation of a working group to guide and inform the development of the local funding arrangements for 2017-18 and 2018-19 as set out in section 10.

Purpose of report

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the action plan that has been developed in order to respond to the findings of the Ofsted inspection undertaken in February 2016 of the council’s arrangements for supporting school improvement in Portsmouth.  A copy of the Ofsted report (published on 23^rd March 2016) and the council’s action plan are attached at Appendices 1 and 2.

RECOMMENDED

That the Cabinet Member approves the action plan as set out at Appendix 2.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director of Children's Services - Education. 

Councillor Young said that the action plan sets out how the LA will move forward with improving educational standards using a collaborative approach and was pleased to hear that head teachers were fully in support of the action plan.  

Councillor Ferrett said that it was important that all political parties work together to improve education standards in the city.  This was endorsed by the Cabinet member and other group spokespeople.

DECISION:

The Cabinet Member approved the post Ofsted inspection action plan as set out in appendix 2

Purpose of report

To seek approval for the Terms of Reference of the Education Advisory Board which is to replace the former Schools Standards and Improvement Group (SSIG).

RECOMMENDED

That the Cabinet Member approves the Terms of Reference for the Education Advisory Board as set out at Appendix 1.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director of Children's Services - Education.

In response to a question about how this group will differ from the former Schools Standards and Improvement Group, officers advised that the Education Advisory Board would look at educational standards across the whole city rather than on a school by school basis.  It would also hold the LA to account rather than head teachers.

DECISION:

The Cabinet Member approved the terms of reference for the education advisory board as set out in appendix 1.