Agenda item

Melanie Ellis introduced the report (Agenda Item 6), which presented the responses to the consultation on the updated Scheme for Financing Schools (SFS).

The SFS had been out to consultation with all schools and responses were detailed under section five. Changes had been made to the SFS where requested.

Melanie Ellis drew attention to the first response concerning section 5.14 of the SFS. This section had been amended to make it clearer regarding how schools could ask for revenue contributions to their capital.

Melanie Ellis referred to the response regarding the removal of the section under 7.2 of the SFS describing community facilities as part of the clawback mechanism. Melanie Ellis reported that she had been asked what ‘community facilities’ included and she clarified that these were facilities that were in consistent financial reporting codes (E31, E32, I16, I17) and as such they were excluded from the clawback calculation. Melanie Ellis added that it was also not referring to income generation but just the specific CFR codes mentioned above. Melanie Ellis suggested that schools should contact her directly if they required further information on this area.

Melanie Ellis reported that she had provided responses to other general queries about the SFS that had not resulted in any changes.

It was proposed and seconded that Schools Forum approve the suggested amendment and publish and adopt the updated SFS by 16^th July 2024. At the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the Schools’ Forum approved the updated SFS.