Agenda item

Report and appendices attached.

The Forum noted that this report was for maintained schools only. The areas for which de-delegation was permitted were set out in paragraph 1 on page 30 of the main agenda pack.

The maintained schools representatives were asked to vote to approve the services to be de-delegated. The discussions, votes and results are as follows:

1. Contingency for Schools in Financial Difficulty – It was noted that criteria for a school in financial difficulty is if the school was in deficit in the previous financial year, forecasts a deficit for the new financial year and is again in deficit at year end after taking action to reduce costs. The forum supported 10 schools that met these criteria in the current year and the maintained schools voted to approve the budget to be provided through de-delegation of £11 per pupil by way of a unanimous vote.

2. Attendance & Behaviour – The Forum noted that the cost of buy-back at a similar level of service to that provided through de-delegation is £7,618. It was also noted that 86% of schools, based on 2019/20, would save money from de-delegation compared to buying services at a similar level. The maintained schools did not vote on this point pending a response to a query on the level of access to the service that was proportionate to the amount de-delegated per school.  Because of the timetable for setting budgets, this may require wider consultation with schools.

3. EAL Service – The Forum noted that the cost of a similar level of service as that provided through de-delegation is £2,309 and, based on data from 2019/20, 63% of schools would save money from de-delegation compared to buying services at a similar level. The Forum also noted that since 2016, the English as an Additional Language (EAL) pupil population has risen from 17.5% to 22.6%. While discussing the impact of the EAL team, it was noted that the most underperforming ethic group statistically is white British and schools needed more help than they currently receive. The maintained schools voted to approve the service to be provided through de-delegation of £38 per EAL pupil by way of a unanimous vote.

4. Free School Meals Eligibility – The maintained schools voted to approve the service to be provided through de-delegation of £9 per FSM pupil by way of a unanimous vote.

5. Insurance – It was advised to the forum that the figure for the maximum amount was reduced from £20.50 to £18 to match the RPA charge. The maintained schools voted to approve the service to be provided through de-delegation by way of a unanimous vote on the basis of the decrease to £18.

6. Maternity Insurance – The maintained schools voted to approve the service to be provided through de-delegation of £26 per pupil by way of a unanimous vote.

7. Trade Union Facility Time – The Forum noted the reduction of the cost per pupil form £5.70 in 2014/15 to £2.50 for the last 2 years following recommendations from the Trade Union Working Group. The amount of facility time affordable relies on buy-back from academies. The maintained schools voted to approve the service to be provided through de-delegation of £2.50 per pupil by way of a unanimous vote.

8. Central Education Services – The Forum noted that from an original allocation of £2.3 million, £589k had been transferred to the DSG and after reduction costs by £590k, there was a shortfall left of £1.2 million. It was agreed last year that LA maintained schools would pay a contribution of £17.90 per pupil to contribute for the statutory services and tasks that are carried out for them and not for academies. This agreement produced a contribution of £300k. The maintained schools voted to approve the service to be provided through de-delegation of £17.90 per pupil by way of a unanimous vote.