Agenda item

Claire White presented the update on Schools in Financial Difficulty.

There were 3 schools with a budgeted deficit for 2014/15; Bradfield Primary (£75k), Kintbury Primary (£25k) and John O’Gaunt (£535k).

Bradfield Primary were successful in their bid for additional funding from the primary schools in financial difficulty contingency fund to cover redundancy costs and are now forecasting a balanced budget 2014/15, though still face significant challenges in setting a balanced budget next year.

Kintbury Primary has successfully made some savings in 2014/15 through organisational changes, but benefit from the continuation of the minimum funding guarantee in 2015/16 so will continue with restructuring opportunities. No additional funding has been requested in 2014/15 however there may be a bid for funding in 2015/16 to cover redundancy costs.

Pupil numbers have not increased at JOG and the plans for an all through school faced local opposition. The school has taken the decision to suspend the sixth form from September 2015 and has not admitted any year 12 pupils this September. The school’s position is being closely monitored by the Corporate Director for Communities, Head of Finance, and Council members and this is now a Council risk rather than a DSG risk. 

All the schools that forecasted a deficit in 2015/16 and requested support from Schools’ Accountancy are currently being supported in their strategic financial planning.

Action