This is a default template, your custom branding appears to be missing.
The custom branding should be at https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/global/moderngov/pcc/pcc_template if you cannot load this page please contact your IT.

Technical Error: Error: The underlying connection was closed: The connection was closed unexpectedly.

Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Portsmouth. View directions

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

 

2.

Declaration of Members' Interests

Minutes:

Councillor Horton declared a non-prejudicial interest in that she is Vice Chair of Governors at Craneswater Junior School.  Councillor Jeanette Smith declared that she is a paid official of UNISON Hampshire Branch. Councillor Terry Norton declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in that he is employed at Mayfield School through a cover agency. 

 

3.

Children, families and education portfolio Budget Monitoring third quarter 2021-22 pdf icon PDF 495 KB

Purpose

 

To inform the Cabinet Member of the projected revenue expenditure within the portfolio cash limit and capital programme for the current financial year 2021/22. This report sets out the budget position and contributing factors to the projected spend within the portfolio as at the end of December 2021.

 

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

 

1.    Notes the Children, Families and Education Portfolio forecast revenue and capital budget positions and mitigating actions, as at the end of December 2021.

 

2.    Approves the addition of the £1.18m Special Educational Needs capital grant to scheme 'Accommodation for Special Education Needs' and approves the proposed capital transfers between schemes previously requested as set out in paragraph 6.6 and Appendix 1 of the report.

 

Minutes:

Angela Mann, Finance Manager introduced the report which sets out the plans to mitigate budgetary pressures.  Councillor Suzy Horton noted the measures being taken and commented that the full impact of COVID-19 on the budget was unknown.  There were no questions from members present.

 

DECISIONS - to:

 

i)     Note the Children, Families and Education Portfolio forecast revenue and capital budget positions and mitigating actions, as at the end of December 2021.

 

ii)    Approve the addition of the £1.18m Special Educational Needs capital grant to scheme 'Accommodation for Special Education Needs' and approves the proposed capital transfers between schemes previously requested as set out in paragraph 6.6 and Appendix 1 of the report.

 

 

4.

Dedicated Schools Grant 2021-22 Quarter 3 Budget Monitoring pdf icon PDF 404 KB

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to inform the Cabinet Member of the forecast outturn position of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) as at the end of December 2021.

 

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

1.    Notes the forecast budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at 31 December 2021, together with the associated explanations contained within this report.

2.    Approves the budget adjustment to the Post-16 Element 3 Top-up by £12,000.

 

Minutes:

Alison Egerton, Group Accountant, Schools and Traded Services introduced the report.

There were no questions from members.

 

DECISIONS to:

 

i)      Note the forecast budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at 31 December 2021, together with the associated explanations contained within this report.

 

ii)    Approve the budget adjustment to the Post-16 Element 3 Top-up by £12,000.

 

5.

Update on Education Capital Programme pdf icon PDF 147 KB

Purpose

 

To update the Cabinet Member on the implementation of the education capital programme.

 

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

 

1.    Notes the progress on the 'Accommodation for Special Educational Needs' (additional specialist school places) projects

 

2.    Notes that the council has received a SEND Capital grant of £1.18m in 2021/21

 

3.    Notes the Special Educational Needs schemes agreed with the Lead Member since the last report

 

4.    Notes progress on the secondary sufficiency schemes

 

5.    Notes progress on the urgent school condition projects for LA Maintained schools.

 

6.    Notes that the DfE has announced a further round of the school rebuilding programme for which the council will be submitting a bid

 

7.    Notes progress with the placement of the education case management system project.

 

Minutes:

Alison Critchley, Head of Sufficiency and Resources, introduced the report.

 

In response to questions from members Alison Critchley, Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director of Children's Services and Education and Alison Egerton, Group Accountant, provided the following as clarification:

 

·       The Inclusion Centre at Penhale Primary School is located on Penhale Road.

·       Plans to expand the Harbour School had been put aside as other schemes had come forward.

·       The Mary Rose Academy building needed investment and would be subject to a separate report; in the meantime, the Lantern unit was noted as providing specialist provision for young people with complex Autism

·       Exclusions are avoided but when they happen, there are sufficient places in Portsmouth schools to accommodate pupils and the places are allocate through the Fair Access Protocol to ensure placements are equitable and all schools share the task.

·       Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) allocations is funding allocated using a DfE formula, which takes account of the cost of the project and school balances, for individual schools to spend on capital projects that meet their own priorities.

·       The Growth Fund is subject to consultation with the Schools' Forum and is funded through the Dedicated Schools Grant.  It is based on a formula to support growth in pupil numbers and only lasts until the school is full.

·       The proposal to convert changing room facilities at Priory School into to a multi-purpose teaching space aims to encourage independent learning which helps inform and prepare pupils for a range of careers with the NHS.  The feasibility study will include the impact of the loss of changing room facilities.  The project aims to cover the full breadth of NHS careers.  Officers were not aware of this being done elsewhere.

 

Mike Stoneman undertook to suggest to the NHS that it is rolled out to other schools if successful.

 

Councillor Suzy Horton offered her thanks to Alison Critchley for the report as it had come in challenging circumstances shortly after her appointment as Head of Sufficiency and Resources. 

 

DECISIONS to:

 

i)       Note the progress on the 'Accommodation for Special Educational Needs' (additional specialist school places) projects.

ii)      Note that the council has received a SEND Capital grant of £1.18m in 2021/21.

 

iii)    Note the Special Educational Needs schemes agreed with the Lead Member since the last report.

 

iv)    Note progress on the secondary sufficiency schemes.

 

v)      Note progress on the urgent school condition projects for LA Maintained schools.

 

vi)    Note that the DfE has announced a further round of the school rebuilding programme for which the council will be submitting a bid.

 

vii)   Note progress with the placement of the education case management system project.

 

6.

Thanks

Minutes:

As it was the last meeting of the municipal year, Councillor Suzy Horton thanked her elected member colleagues for their challenge and collaboration which offered a good example of cross-party working.  Councillor Jeanette Smith thanked officers and the Chair for the information and support provided to her and expressed hopes that it would continue.  Councillor Judith Smyth supported the comments made.