Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2016 be signed as a correct record.

a)         The Business Advisor (Schools) reported on progress made on “Action” items as follows:

• Page 3 – Election of the Chair –2 nominations were received for Dominic Wall to continue as Chair. No other nominations were submitted. Therefore, Dominic is confirmed as Chair for the 2016/17 academic year.

• Page 6 – Early Protection of the DSG 2017/18 and Cost Pressures – there were 2 action points. The request for further information about cumulative impact of funding reductions is included in Document GO (item 10 of the agenda) presented to this meeting. Regarding the request for further information on the number of assessments / referrals for EHCPs by phase, an analysis was tabled:

The Chair explained that this information had been presented earlier in the week to the District Achievement Partnership. The Strategic Manager, SEND and Behaviour, confirmed that this data showed the average of all statements calculated at October 2016 and included statements for secondary aged pupils.

• Page 8 – Early Years Block Funding Matters – It was reported that our response to the DfE’s consultation had been submitted. This response had also been shared with the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee. No further announcements have been made by Government on the subject of Early Years Funding reform.

• Page 12 – Consultation on the Primary & Secondary School Formulae 2017/18 – It was reported that our consultation document was published immediately after the Schools Forum meeting and that feedback is presented back at this meeting under agenda item 10.

b) Other matters arising

• 1 October academy conversions: The Business Advisor (Schools) reported that 4 maintained schools converted to academy status on 1 October (1 secondary and 3 primary). None of these schools are expected to close with a deficit budget. This means that 9 schools have converted so far this academic year.

• Oastler Letter Panel Update: The Business Advisor (Schools) reported that the Panel met with representatives of Oastler School on 4 October and that this was a challenging and productive meeting. The Panel has asked for further information, from the school and from Local Authority, on the school’s future business plans and pupil referrals processes. It is anticipated that a recommendation on this matter will be presented to the Forum at the December meeting. The Chair stated that he has received feedback about the rigorous nature of the scrutiny from the Panel and also the productive way in which dialogue is continuing. The Chair expressed his appreciation for the work of the Panel.

• Admissions at the October 2016 Census: The Business Advisor (Schools) reminded Members that, in previous years, we have reported to the Forum the number of children that were ‘in the admissions system’ but had not been allocated a place in a primary or secondary school before the October Census was taken. On a simple basis, we do not receive DSG funding in the following financial year for the children that are not placed by this time. It was explained that this affects the individual delegated budgets of schools and academies, where children are placed following the Census. It was reported that, at the October 2016 Census, 141 out of 1,594 (8.8%) applications received had not been placed. This represents roughly a £675,000 cost in DSG. In context, the figure for October 2015 was 143 out of 1,499 (10%). Most of the 141 not on roll at October 2016 were in the secondary phase and largely due to the time needed for background pupil data checking and processing. It was clarified that these figures just related to admissions into mainstream primary and secondary schools and did not include admissions to special schools. A Member asked for further information on whether the unplaced admissions in the secondary phase related to admissions into year 7 or other year groups. The Business Advisor stated that this information would be provided (subsequently provided – the majority were for year groups other than year 7).

A Non-Schools Member referred to the recent announcement on the opening of 3 new free school provisions in Bradford, 2 of which being post 16 provisions. He expressed concern about the impact that these post 16 provisions will have on the financial viability of existing 6^th forms in schools. A request was made for further information on how the Local Authority is managing, and modelling the implications of, the development of new Post 16 free school provision in the Bradford District.

• Schools Unbilled Payroll: The Authority’s Payroll Service Manager attended in response to the request made by a Schools Member at the last meeting for further information on the position of unbilled school payroll charges. He explained that late in 2015 reconciliation issues relating to payroll charges were identified, where costs back to 2012 had not been charged to 76 schools. He expressed his apologies on behalf of the payroll service for this issue. He explained that these charges are deemed to be payable and that the Council has contacted all affected schools. He reported that some of the amounts have been paid (3 schools have paid in full) and some schools have disputed the charges (4 schools). Conversations were continuing with these schools. He stressed that flexible options were being offered for re-payment, including re-payment plans. The Council is not expecting schools to repay all sums immediately.

The Chair thanked the Payroll Services Manager for the clarity and frankness of his presentation and the information provided. Members asked the following questions:

Resolved –

(1)       That progress made on “Action” and “Matters Arising” be noted.

(2)       That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2016 be signed as a correct record.

ACTION:       City Solicitor