Agenda item

Revised Schools' Budget 2015/16

(A report by Tony Warnock, Operations and Financial Advice Manager, which notifies the Forum of the revised Schools Budget for 2015/16 and seeks support for the proposed use of the underspending from 2014/15)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Tony Warnock, Operations and Financial Advice Manager, which notified the Forum of the revised Schools Budget for 2015/16; and sought support for the proposed use of the underspending from 2014/15.

 

In guiding the Forum through the report presented, Mark Popplewell, Assistant Head of Finance – Children's and Specialist Services made reference to the following:-

 

·         That the underspend carried forward as at 31/3/15 was £10.566m.  This figure represented 2.15% of the £492.049m 2015/16 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), and reflected a one-off allocation of £5m of the 2013/14 DSG underspend to all schools; a one-off protection of £0.598m for schools as a result of changes made to Band 6 to 8 statements; and net underspendings of £2.289m on budgets held centrally within the DSG.  Full details were contained within Appendix 1 to the report presented;

·         It was highlighted that a thorough review of commitments had taken place and prudent estimates had been made, which totalled £4.810m.  Details of which were contained within Appendix 2 to the report presented;

·         Proposals for use of the uncommitted sum of £5.756m, it was reported that the LA proposed that the above said sum was not committed, but was held in reserves as this was considered prudent; and reasons for the action were detailed on page 54 of the report in points (a) to (g).

The Forum were advised that the uncommitted sum only represented 1.1% of the DSG and was considerably lower than the average carried forward by maintained schools and, probably, academies; and

·         The Forum was advised that the views of the Schools Forum would be reported to the Children's Services Departmental Management Team (DMT) and the Executive Councillor with responsibility for Children's Services before final decisions were made.

 

Discussion ensued, from which the following points were raised:-

 

·         Some concern was expressed by some members as to whether the uncommitted sum should be distributed to schools, as schools were struggling and more money should be pushed out to them, if it was available.  Clarification was given that it was not just the schools' money and the LA thought it prudent for the reasons given in the report to put the uncommitted sum in to reserves, because of future pressures and challenges on the horizon.  It was highlighted that in the previous year £5m had been given out; pressures were highlighted relating to SEND reforms and exclusions;

·         With regard to the committed sum of £1.524m to energy saving initiatives in schools, some members felt that this money could be better spent, as the Forum had received little evidence as to the benefits of this initiative; and

·         Some members extended their full support to the recommendations as detailed in the report presented; the money should be left in the centre to help underperforming children, as and when required.

 

All but two members present supported the proposals as detailed in the report presented.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That report presented be noted.

 

2.    That support be given to the LA's proposals for use of the uncommitted sum, as outlined in paragraph 8 above.

 

3.    That the Local Authority review commitments in relation to energy savings initiatives.

Supporting documents:

 

 
 
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