Agenda item

Melanie Ellis introduced the report to the Schools’ Forum, which provided an update on the work being carried out with the nine schools that had set deficit budgets in 2018/19.

There was now dedicated support for schools in deficit. A one year fixed term 0.8FTE term time only Senior Accountant post has been created in the Schools’ Finance Team. For the period 1^st September 2018 until 31^st August 2019 the post holder would work with schools that had set a deficit budget in 2018/19.

All schools had submitted their Period 7 Budget Monitoring and Forecast reports. Two schools were forecasting a deficit in excess of their license. If this was still the case at the next ‘Task Force’ meeting following Period 9 forecast then intervention might be required. 

Catie Colston queried the sustainability of improvements being made. Melanie Ellis confirmed that this was difficult to answer early in the process however, feedback from schools was very positive. Catie Colston felt that it was important to share any ‘warning signals’ experienced by schools before falling into deficit.

David Ramsden felt that a longer term view was required. Some schools had been in and out of deficit over the past eight years and some had been in deficit long term and this was concerning. It was felt that some trend information would be helpful. Melanie Ellis confirmed that there was some trend information included for each of the nine schools in deficit under the appendices to the report. David Ramsden felt that data ranging further back in time was required as it often took time to get out of deficit. A longer term view was required to highlight any patterns

Melanie Ellis commented that all schools had recently been emailed a health check assessment to carry out. RAG rating had also been carried out with school business managers to assess financial management ability. This information could be brought a future meeting of the Schools’ Forum.

Jonathon Chishick suggested that if trend data was to be explored then in year deficits be included.

RESOLVED that

·         Information on RAG ratings on financial management ability to be presented a future meeting of the Schools’ Forum.