Agenda item

Amin Hussain introduced the report, which set out the details, cost and charges to schools of the services on which maintained schools’ representatives were required to vote (on an annual basis) whether or not they should be de-delegated. 

There were three categories that required a vote and these were set out under section 2 of the report.

Ian Pearson reported that there had been ongoing discussions about the Health and Safety Options and clarified that Option 1 related to an enhanced more expensive service and Option 2 included the core service and was what had been agreed by schools for the previous year.

It was suggested that a vote on Accountancy Options 1 and 2 take place after Item 15 (Schools: deficit recovery), which would be moved to next on the agenda.

The Chairman invited maintained schools to vote on the de-delegations proposals for 2019/20. It was clarified that the vote would exclude accountancy options and regarding Health and Safety Options, the proposal included Option 2 (cores service).

Maintained Primary Schools

Antony Gallagher proposed that maintained primary schools support the de-delegation of the following services and this was seconded by Hilary Latimer. At the vote the motion was carried.

·         Behaviour Support Services

·         Ethnic Minority Support

·         Trade Union Representation

·         Schools in Financial Difficulty

·         CLEAPSS

·         Statutory and Regulatory Duties comprising:

- Internal Audit of schools

- Administration of pensions for school staff

- Health and Safety (Option 2)

Maintained Secondary Schools

David Ramsden proposed that maintained secondary schools support the de-delegation of the following services and this was seconded by Chris Prosser. At the vote the motion was carried.

·         Behaviour Support Services

·         Ethnic Minority Support

·         Trade Union Representation

·         CLEAPSS

·         Statutory and Regulatory Duties comprising:

- Internal Audit of schools

- Administration of pensions for school staff

- Health and Safety (Option 2)

Maintained Special, Nursery and PRU Schools

Jacquie Davies proposed that maintained Special, Nursery and PRU Schools support the de-delegation of the following services and this was seconded by Suzanne Taylor. At the vote the motion was carried.

·         Statutory and Regulatory Duties comprising:

- Internal Audit of schools

- Administration of pensions for school staff

- Health and Safety (Option 2)

RESOLVED that the proposals as set out above were agreed by the relevant maintained school representatives.

(After Item 15 had been considered regarding schools: deficit recovery)

Ian Pearson explained that there were two Options available concerning statutory accounting functions in respect of schools. The details setting the two options out was included under Appendix F on page 84 of the agenda.

David Ramsden felt that it was too early to make a decision on this point as it was not yet known how many schools would be in deficit. Patrick Mitchel felt that adopting Option 1 would be penalising those schools not in deficit.

Jonathan Chishick highlighted that the difference in cost between the options was 71 pence per pupil however, Option 1 would provide increased accountancy support across schools. Some smaller schools were struggling to balance budgets and therefore he did not feel that 71 pence per head was a great amount to help address the situation.

It was confirmed to members of the Schools’ Forum that the decision could not be taken on a per school basis.

David Ramsden was concerned that schools not in deficit would be covering the cost of schools in deficit. He queried if assumptions had been made with regards to adopting Option 1. Ian Pearson confirmed that the work was currently only provided on a yearly basis and therefore if schools voted in favour of Option 1, they would be voting for continuation of the increased support to schools.

Rev. Mark Bennet queried how the effectiveness of inter school support was assessed and queried if this was provided from a central service or if certain schools were called upon to help schools which were struggling with deficits. Melanie Ellis reported that there were two headteachers currently involved in the visits to schools that were struggling. Ian Pearson reported that there was no such support in review meetings however signposting and matching was carried out. For example the new Business Manager from the Willows School was being supported by the experienced a Business Manager at Mortimer St Mary’s C.E. School.

Jonathon Chishick reiterated that it was only 0.5 FTE that was being debated, which required a relatively small amount of money.

Catie Colston commented that historically there had been many areas of support provided for example Governor Services however, many of these areas had been scaled back or eliminated completely. Catie Colston expressed her support for funding professional help.

David Ramsden proposed that accountancy function Option 2 (without additional dedicated support) be supported and this was seconded by Patrick Mitchell. At the vote this motion was not carried.

Antony Gallagher proposed that accountancy function option 1 (with additional dedicated support) be supported and this was seconded by Jon Hewitt. At the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the Option 1 accountancy services was agreed by the Schools’ Forum.