Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received for the absence of David Denchfield (Primary) , Daniel Gricks (Secondary Academy), Keith Williams (Secondary Academy), John McKernan (Secondary Academy), Trevor Sim (Vulnerable Children), Keith Passingham (NASUWT) and David Thomas (Unison - John Gilles substituting). 

The notes are attached at Appendix A.

The notes of the meeting held on 16^th January 2014 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Item 102 – Brookside Junior School

It was noted that following the withdrawal of financial delegation from Brookside Junior School and the establishment of a Strategic Management Board, it was not anticipated that there would be a deficit at the point of conversion to an academy.

(i)               To note that Noel McNab has been appointed as the Pupil Referral Service representative.

(ii)             To note the vacancies for two primary school governors, a special governor and a representative from primary academies. 

The Chairman welcomed Mrs Noel McNab to the Forum as representative of the Pupil Referral Service.

It was noted that there were currently vacancies for the following SFF representatives:

Primary School Governors (2)

Special Schools Governor (1)

Primary Academy (1)

Mo Jones, the Borough’s Pension Officer to attend.

The Forum received a presentation from Mo Jones, Pensions Officer on the changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme from 1 April 2014.  It was thought that similar changes would follow for teaching staff at a later date but this had not been announced.

The following formed the basis of the changes to the scheme. 

•                     Moving to CARE (Career Average Revalued Earnings) – pensions no longer based on years and days membership

•                     Definition of Pensionable pay is changing

•                     New salary bandings for contributions, extended to 9  levels,

•                     Part timers will pay on their actual pay.

•                     50/50 section with full employers’ contributions payable

•                     Retirement date aligned with State Pension age

•                     All benefits earned up to 31 March 2014 protected including the link to final salary and the current retirement age of 65 for pre 2014 benefits

•                     Vesting period reverting to 2 years from 3 months

•                     Able to take benefits from age 55 without employers permission – at a cost

                 Care Scheme

It was noted that from April 2014, pension accounts would “build” each

year as follows:-

•                     Pensionable salary X 1/49 = pension bought and each year on 31 March, the pension account is revalued

•                     Pensionable pay would now include all additional hours (for part timers) and all overtime including non-contractual overtime. Employers’ contributions would therefore be paid an ALL pay.

Salary bandings had now been extended to 9 levels so high earners would pay a higher percentage although most teachers would remain at 22%.  The pivotal salary was around £43K where earners would be paying more.  Part timers would pay on ACTUAL earnings rather than the full time equivalent as previously and it would be the employers’ decision as to which band staff fell into.

50/50 Section

•              A scheme member could now elect to be in the 50/50 section and pay half the normal % contribution

•              They would get half the pension but all other benefits would remain the same as if they were in the main section

•              Employers would still pay the full % they would normally pay – even though this has caused “questions to be asked in the house”.

Retirement Age

•                     Retirement age would now be aligned with state pension age

•                     The link to final salary still existed for all those scheme members with pre 2014 membership

•                     The right to have a refund of contributions would be increased to 2 years from 3 months, however employers’ contributions would only be refunded if the member opted out within the first 3 months.

Taking benefits before retirement age

Scheme members had the right to take reducedbenefits from age 55 without their Employers’ consent. Reduction factors were still being looked at as protections in place could be lost if the member retired under the age of 60.

            Authorised leave without pay

•                     Mandatory payment of contributions for the first 30 days of any such leave had now gone and was no longer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note that the LA had used its powers of intervention under section 66 of the Education Inspections Act 2006 to suspend the right of the Rise Park Junior School Governing Body to a delegated budget.  A Strategic Management Board has been put in place.

It was noted that the local authority had used its powers of intervention under section 66 of the Education Inspections Act 2006 to suspend the right of the Rise Park Junior School Governing body to a delegated budget and that a Strategic Management Board had been established to oversee all finances at the school.

To receive a report from the working group on trade union facility time.Appendix  B refers.

Members noted the report to the Schools Funding Forum following two meetings held by the Trade Union Facility Time Working Group on 14 February and 5 March 2014.

The DfE had issued non statutory advice to school leaders, governing bodies, employers and employees following the call for evidence during the autumn term. The main points of the full document were outlined within the report including the list of paid and unpaid activities during working hours, management of facility time as well as accountability to employers and/or managers.

It was acknowledged that trade union work had grown in the borough at a cost of £5.70 per pupil.  This was one of the highest rates nationally.

Secondary schools where time off was allowed for school based trade union representatives was costing, on average £7,500. Added to the £5,000 contribution to the central pool the total cost was £12,500.  Primary schools did not allocate in-school facility time to the same extent as secondary schools and were content with the current arrangements of de-delegation.

It was noted that two academies had decided not to pay into the central pool.  Unions would be advised to withdraw support

Following a discussion, the Schools Funding Forum unanimously agreed to implement the following recommendations as from September 2014:

1.            Recommendations

(i)            Facility time for school based representatives to be used as follows:

All meetings with head teachers and management as well as meetings in which representatives support members (e.g. disciplinary, capability meetings) must be held in timetabled time (not lunchtime or before or after school).

All meetings which take place in non-contact time must be compensated with equivalent non-contact time.  Reasonable time off for training should be allowed.

(ii)          The current allocation of facility time to the trade unions is changed to bring it in line with membership as follows:

This was subject to further reductions as (iii) below.

Support staff

Unison to remain at 0.5 FTE and consideration given to the allocation of facility time for GMB.

(iii)         As a first step towards reducing the costs, charges to be based on £4 per pupil including 6^th form pupils.  The impact on de-delegation for maintained schools and the contribution from academies were circulated as a confidential paper.  This would reduce the facility time allowed for each trade union as follows:

(iv)         Reduce the budget by £11,250 that provides additional days for each trade union. This is currently as set out below but the recommendation is to remove this additional allowance.

In addition to the capital funding that was discussed at the last meeting, the DFE has announced that infant free meals will be funded at £2.30 per meal for newly eligible pupils based on take up.  The DFE advice to LAs is attached at Appendix C.

Eligibility for Pupil Premium continues to be on the basis of eligibility for free school meals.

It was confirmed that non-statutory advice had now been received from the DfE which was attached as Appendix C. The advice was aimed at school leaders and  governing bodies in all maintained schools, academies, free schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision with children in reception, year 1 and year 2.

In the 2014 to 2015 academic year, local authority schools would be paid funds at a flat rate of £2.30 for each meal taken by newly eligible pupils. Initial provisional allocations would be based on an estimate of national take-up and then adjusted once the department had details of the actual number of meals taken in individual schools.

Additional one-off funding would be provided in the 2014 to 2015 financial year to small schools (those with fewer than 150 pupils in total) to help with transitional costs.

From September 2014 all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools in England would become eligible for free school meals (FSMs). This would include academies, free schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision as well as maintained schools.

The grant allocated to Havering for capital projects (transition costs) was £642k however the costs were likely to exceed that.  A survey was being undertaken of the costs of items such as new ovens, ventilation equipment, additional storage spaces, counter works and hot trolleys.  In addition, more major works would have to be carried out where facilities were non-existent.   On the basis of current figures, there was a shortfall of £123k which excluded asbestos survey work which was an additional unknown cost. 

To consider the use of the School Lunch Grant that is included within school budgets. Paper to be tabled.

Members of the Forum were advised that the three year period for the school lunch grant had ended.  There could continue to be a charge for the school lunch grant with monies utilised to address the shortfall discussed in the previous item.  However, the capital needs in schools were spread unevenly and it would not be appropriate for a direct charge to be made to schools to meet the needs in other schools.  In previous years, the Forum had agreed to fund shortfalls in wider capital projects costs from the DSG and it was possible to do this from an anticipated underspend to be carried forward into 2014-15. 

The Forum agreed in principal to fund the shortfall from the anticipated DSG carried forward.

The Chairman reminded the Forum that, as of 2016, free school meals would be rolled out to Key Stage 2 pupils and that this would have a bigger impact on schools affecting kitchens, dining halls and lunch periods.

To approve the protocol to support schools following the placement of pupils through the IYFAP process.  Appendix  D refers

The Forum noted and approved the protocols to support schools following the placement of pupils through the IYFAP process as outlined in Appendix D. 

To note the changes in academy funding from the EFA.  Appendix E refers.

The Forum noted the changes in EFA academy funding as outlined in Appendix E. The new protection arrangements would only apply to existing academies and that the payment profile for academies and free schools was currently being revised in order to achieve parity.  Newer academies were funded on the LA formula with no protections.

Members of the Forum were asked to note the new Academy and Free School risk pooling scheme for 2014/2015.

To consider the DFE consultation.  Appendix F refers.

The Forum noted the consultation document issued by the DfE on fairer schools funding 2015/2016.  Members were advised that for many years Havering had been the second lowest funded borough for education within London.  Officers had reviewed all previous funding data from 2013/2014 and felt that Havering was being subjected to unfair treatment. 

It was therefore agreed that officers would put forward a case for Havering to receive additional funds with the full support of the Schools Funding Forum.

The next meetings have been arranged as follows:

It was noted that the next meeting would be held on 24 April 2014 at CEME.

The Chairman extended his thanks to Christine Drew for her contributions to the Schools Funding Forum and on behalf of all members wished her well in her retirement.