Agenda and minutes

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Horton. 

Councillor Suzy Horton declared a personal interest as she is Vice Chair of governors at Craneswater Junior School.

Purpose of report

The purpose of this report is to present the Secondary School Place Strategy 2017-2023, highlighting future secondary school place pressures and the potential solutions to address the projected deficit in school place capacity.

RECOMMENDED

(1)  That the Cabinet Member approves the Secondary School Place Strategy 2017-2023.

(2)  That the four schemes identified in the Strategy are endorsed as the basis for delivering the required additional places (subject to the identification of funding) and would generate an additional 910 secondary school places.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Caroline Corcoran, Head of Sufficiency, Participation and Resources.

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member, officers explained that they were confident that the statistical modelling within the report was robust and that if the recommended schemes were undertaken there would be enough secondary school places until 2023.  This assumes that trends remain stable.  Officers review and update the pupil forecasts for primary and secondary pupils every summer. Primary school numbers have stabilised at their current level and officers are keeping a watching eye on that to see if there are any changes, which would over time flow through from primary to secondary schools.   

The Cabinet Member expressed her thanks to officers for all their hard work on the strategy.

DECISIONS: The Cabinet Member

(1) Approved the Secondary School Place Strategy 2017-2023.

(2) Endorsed the four schemes identified in the Strategy as the basis for delivering the required additional places (subject to the identification of funding) that will generate an additional 910 secondary school places.

Purpose of report

1.1                   The purpose of this report is to provide a Quarter 3 update on the progress of:

·                     urgent school condition projects

·                     secondary school sufficiency schemes aimed at increasing secondary school place capacity within the city.

1.2       The quarterly budget monitoring report (also on this agenda) contains information in relation the financial position of the education capital programme.

RECOMMENDEDthat the Cabinet Member notes the progress on the school modernisation "urgent condition" projects and the secondary school sufficiency projects (as set out in the report and in Appendix A).

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Caroline Corcoran, Head of Sufficiency, Participation and Resources.  She explained that there have been no new works that were required since the last report and seven of the urgent condition projects had been completed.   

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member, Ms Corcoran said that there were no new or emerging risks.

DECISION: The Cabinet Member noted the progress on the school modernisation "urgent condition" projects and the secondary school sufficiency projects (as set out in the report and in Appendix A).

Purpose

To inform the Cabinet Member of the projected revenue expenditure within the portfolio cash limit and capital programme for the current financial year 2017-18. This report sets out the budget position and contributing factors to the projected spend within the portfolio as at the end of December 2017.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member notes the Education Portfolio forecast revenue and capital budget positions, as at the end of December 2017, together with the variance and pressure explanations.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Beverley Pennekett, Interim Finance Manager. 

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member, Mrs Pennekett said that the underspend was likely to increase at this stage and Mr Stoneman echoed that.  Ms Corcoran added that in terms of capital funding officers always have a backlog of projects in terms of supporting schools improve their accommodation so any underspend will definitely be used on school projects. 

DECISION: the Cabinet Member noted the Education Portfolio forecast revenue and capital budget positions, as at the end of December 2017, together with the variance and pressure explanations.

Purpose of report

(1)  To inform the Cabinet Member for Education of the projected revenue expenditure within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the current financial year 2017-18 as at the end of December 2017. 

(2)  To provide an update on the 2018-19 predicted pressures following further information from the Department for Education (DfE) and Special Educational Needs and Disability team.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

(1)  Notes the forecast year-end budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at the end 31^st December 2017, together with the associated explanations contained within this report.

(2)  Notes the potential pressures for 2018-19 and impact on the brought forward balances.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Alison Egerton, Group Accountant.  She explained that the budget is where officers would expect it to be at this point in the financial year however there are a number of pressures in the high needs budget, particularly with out of city budgets and pupils with EHCPs.  The pressures in the high needs budget are progressing into 2018/19 and since setting the 2018/19 budget a number of further pressures have been identified.   

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member, Ms Egerton advised that the Head of Inclusion will be bringing a report on the SEND Strategic Review to the March Education Cabinet.  Mr Stoneman advised that there would also be a paper going to the Schools Forum at the end of February on the SEND Review and the emerging recommendations will go to the SEND Review Board.  A further paper will be considered by the Schools Forum about how the council will manage the high needs block going forward.   

DECISION: The Cabinet Member

(1) Noted the forecast year-end budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at the end 31st December 2017, together with the associated explanations contained within this report.

(2) Noted the potential pressures for 2018-19 and impact on the brought forward balances.