Agenda and draft minutes

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Antony Amirtharaj declared an interest in Agenda Item 3 by virtue of the fact that he was a Governor of Springfield Primary School in 2014/15, but reported that, as his interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillor Laura Coyle declared an interest in Agenda Item 3 by virtue of the fact that her son attended The Downs School, but reported that, as her interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillor Paul Dick declared an interest in Agenda Item 3 by virtue of the fact that he had previously been a member of the Schools’ Forum, but reported that, as his interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillor David Marsh declared an interest in Agenda Item 3 by virtue of the fact that he was the Chair of Governors of John Rankin School. He clarified that while he had spoken on this matter previously at meetings of Council and the Executive, he had not done so on behalf of John Rankin School. It was also the case that affected schools were located within his ward. Councillor Marsh reported that, as his interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillor Carolyne Culver declared an interest in Agenda Item 3 by virtue of the fact that one of the affected schools was within her ward, but reported that, as her interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillor Jo Stewart declared an interest in Agenda Item 3 by virtue of the fact that one of the affected schools was within her ward and she intended to speak in support of the school, but reported that, as her interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillor Clive Taylor declared an interest in Agenda Item 3 by virtue of the fact that one of the affected schools was within his ward. He added that his children attended this school in the 1980s and he was part of a fund raising committee at the school at that time. He reported that, as his interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

To consider the requisition signed by the requisite number of Members.

Councillor Billy Drummond introduced Agenda Item 3 and outlined the requisition that had been put to Council and signed by the requisite number of Members:

This Council calls on the Chairman of Council to write to the Schools’ Forum to request that they review the decision to clawback West Berkshire schools’ surplus funds, to be applied to their budgets for the financial year 2024/25.

Councillor Drummond proposed that speaking rights be extended to five minutes for both the Mover of the Motion and the relevant Portfolio Holder for this agenda item. This was seconded by Councillor Jeff Brooks.

This was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Ross Mackinnon and seconded by Councillor David Marsh:

That Council debate the matter and consider the proposed action in the requisition.

Councillor Mackinnon felt this had been a sorry episode for the Administration. The decision to bring forward the clawback of funding to April 2024 was of significant concern to Headteachers, School Business Managers, teachers and parents. Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and other fund raising groups had lost their motivation to seek to raise funds for their schools in light of this.

Angry statements had been issued from Headteacher Associations, one of which followed a suggestion at the Executive held in July 2024 that schools were not working together. Councillor Mackinnon made clear that schools were willing. They had agreed to the clawback (for the 2025/26 financial year) at the Schools’ Forum in December 2023 in order to help fund the High Needs Block (HNB).

However, six months on from this decision, the Administration informed schools that they would need to revote on implementing the clawback from the 2024/25 financial year. This was three months into the current financial year when budgets had already been set.

Schools were informed that if they did not vote in favour of the proposal, the Council would appeal to the Secretary of State to overturn the decision which could result in a poorer outcome for schools. Schools had to, reluctantly, concede.

The process undertaken at the resulting Schools’ Forum was of concern with those schools at risk of a loss in funding being unable to vote on the decision.

The statement issued by the Council, following the Forum meeting, advised that this was the decision of the Forum and not the Council.

Headteachers were considering a move to academisation, a move they had not previously considered before.

There were concerns for the Education Service, particularly following the resignation of many educational psychologists.

In conclusion, Councillor Mackinnon felt the Administration should change their mind on this matter, withdraw the proposal for clawback from April 2024 and withdraw the suggestion of submitting an appeal to the Secretary of State, with a new vote to revert back to the original date for implementing the clawback of April 2025.

Councillor Heather Codling gave some background to the situation. Many local authorities nationally were struggling to meet Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.