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Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Karen Martin, Tel: 023 9284 1704  Email: democratic@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

18.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies had been received from Councillor Terry Norton and Alison Critchley, Head of Sufficiency and Resources.

 

19.

Declarations of Members' Interests

Minutes:

Councillor Horton declared a non-prejudicial interest in that she is Vice-Chair of Governors at Craneswater Junior School; Councillor Coles declared a non-prejudicial interest in that he is a member of the Academy Advisory Board at Penhale & Newbridge School.

 

20.

Update on the Education Capital Programme pdf icon PDF 208 KB

Purpose of report

 

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

 

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

 

1.    Notes the council has been allocated a further High Needs Provision Capital allocation of £5.80m for 2022-24

 

2.    Notes the invite from the Department of Education (DfE) to submit applications for new Free Schools and the council's response.

 

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

 

4.    Notes the Special Educational Needs schemes agreed with the Cabinet Member since the last report.

 

5.    Notes progress on the sufficiency schemes.

 

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

 

7.    Notes that the council will be supporting an application to the DfE to carry out a land transfer at Beacon View Primary Academy.

 

8.    Notes progress with the replacement of the education case management (EMS) system project.

 

Minutes:

The report was introduced by Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director Children. He confirmed that the expression of interest for a new Post-16 SEND free school had been submitted before the deadline of 11 July 2022 and that other projects relating to the SEND Accommodation Strategy, basic need, condition, and EMS case management system replacement were also on track.

 

The Cabinet Member noted that capital projects were continuing to be delivered despite increased costs and the challenges of the past two years and that the inclusion agenda remains high on list of priorities.

 

DECISIONS:

 

Councillor Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education:

 

1)    Noted the council has been allocated a further High Needs Provision Capital allocation of £5.80m for 2022-24

2)    Noted the invite from the Department of Education (DfE) to submit applications for new Free Schools and the council's response.

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

4)    Noted the Special Educational Needs schemes agreed with the Cabinet Member since the last report.

5)    Noted progress on the sufficiency schemes.

6)    Noted progress on the school condition projects for LA Maintained schools.

7)    Noted that the council will be supporting an application to the DfE to carry out a land transfer at Beacon View Primary Academy.

8)    Noted progress with the replacement of the education case management (EMS) system project.

The Cabinet Member:

 

9)    Noted the council has been allocated a further High Needs Provision Capital allocation of £5.80m for 2022-24

10) Noted the invite from the Department of Education (DfE) to submit applications for new Free Schools and the council's response.

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

12) Noted the Special Educational Needs schemes agreed with the Cabinet Member since the last report.

13) Noted progress on the sufficiency schemes.

14) Noted progress on the school condition projects for LA Maintained schools.

15) Noted that the council will be supporting an application to the DfE to carry out a land transfer at Beacon View Primary Academy.

16) Noted progress with the replacement of the education case management (EMS) system project.

 

21.

Improving school attendance and reducing exclusions - focus on relational practice pdf icon PDF 131 KB

Purpose

              

1.1          The purpose of this report is to seek Cabinet Member approval for a three year commitment from the DSG carry forward in order to support a renewed collective effort on reducing time lost at school through non-attendance, suspensions (previously known as fixed term exclusions) or reduced timetables. This follows endorsement by Schools Forum on 13 July 2022.

 

1.2          Specifically, it is seeking support for a city-wide relational practice programme, a whole-school approach that has the potential to transform this agenda, building on previous work to implement restorative practice in schools, excellent evidence-based practice in the city and Wave One of the Relational Practice programme that commenced in Autumn 2021 and which has so far involved up to 17 schools

 

RECOMMENDEDthat the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education approve:

 

a)             the commitment of £530,000 from the DSG carry forward as outlined in Section 4 of the report to Schools Forum (Appendix 1), in order to support the implementation of the strategy to improve school attendance and reduce suspensions, and specifically support a city-wide relational practice programme; and

b)             a disapplication request to the Secretary of State.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

TMike Stoneman, Deputy Director Children's Services Education, introduced the report which sought approval for a three-year commitment from the Dedicated Schools Grant carry forward to help reduce time lost at school through non-attendance, suspensions or a reduced timetable.  He noted that this proposal had been supported by the Schools Forum and was subject to a referral to the Secretary of State.

 

Councillor Tom Coles supported the proposals noting the potential positive impact on inclusion in schools.  The Cabinet Member stated that she was delighted to support the recommendations particularly as it has the endorsement of the Schools Forum.  She added that she was optimistic that it would lead to improved outcomes for pupils.

 

DECISIONS:

 

Councillor Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Educationapproved:

 

1)    the commitment of £530,000 from the DSG carry forward as outlined in Section 4 of the report to Schools Forum (Appendix 1), in order to support the implementation of the strategy to improve school attendance and reduce suspensions, and specifically support a city-wide relational practice programme; and

 

2)    a disapplication request to the Secretary of State.

he Cabinet Member approved:

 

3)    the commitment of £530,000 from the DSG carry forward as outlined in Section 4 of the report to Schools Forum (Appendix 1), in order to support the implementation of the strategy to improve school attendance and reduce suspensions, and specifically support a city-wide relational practice programme; and

4)    a disapplication request to the Secretary of State.

 

22.

Children, Families and Education Portfolio Budget Monitoring Report for the Financial Year End 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 554 KB

Purpose

 

To inform the Cabinet Member of the revenue outturn position in respect of the Portfolio cash limit and capital programme for the financial year 2021/22. This report sets out the budget position and contributing factors to the final Portfolio cash limit overspend at the end of the year.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member Notes the Children, Families and Education Portfolio revenue and capital outturn positions for the financial year 2021/22, together with the variance explanations.

 

Minutes:

Angela Mann, Finance Manager, introduced the report.

 

Councillor Tom Coles noted the impact of the covid pandemic.  The Cabinet Member stressed the importance of supporting high cost placements and safeguarding children.

 

 

DECISIONS:

 

Councillor Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education noted the Children, Families and Education Portfolio revenue and capital outturn positions for the financial year 2021/22, together with the variance explanations.

 

23.

Local Authority Maintained School Balances as at 31 March 2022 pdf icon PDF 460 KB

Purpose

 

The purpose of this information report is to inform the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education of the level of Local Authority maintained schools' revenue and capital balances as at 31 March 2022.

 

Minutes:

Angela Mann, Finance Manager, introduced the report.

 

Councillor Tom Coles sought further information about the recovery plan for Manor Infant School.  Angela Mann undertook to provide the information requested, probably in the Autumn term once schools are open again.

 

Councillor Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, noted the information report.

 

24.

Dedicated Schools Grant Out-turn 2021-22 pdf icon PDF 258 KB

 

Purpose

 

The purpose of this report is to inform the Cabinet Member of the year end outturn position of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) as at the end of March 2022.

 

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member notes the year end budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at 31 March 2022, together with the associated explanations contained within this report.

Minutes:

Angela Mann, Finance Manager, introduced the report.

 

There were no questions.

 

Councillor Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education,noted the information contained in the report including the year end budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at 31 March 2022, together with the associated explanations.