Minutes:
Free School Grant
John Constable explained that £30,000 was set aside by Schools Forum some time ago to support planning for school places through the 3 original bids for Free Schools. There was subsequently some uncertainty about how many places the Free Schools would provide to Slough children; the funding was put on hold and the money is still allocated.
SASH have requested for the money to be given out; £10,000 each to SASH, Lynch Hill and Khalsa school. There is a commitment from Schools Forum to give the money; the question is when and how to divide the £30,000 across each school in recognition of the work done in bringing the bids forward to provide places. The most straightforward option is to divide the money equally between the three bids. The alternative option is to divide the money in some way in proportion to the number of places delivered for Slough children once pupil numbers are known (in October 2014). The spirit of the decision was to support the bid writing process and the work involved in that.
Questions were asked about whether this sets a precedent for the future, i.e would all future Free School bids receive £10,000. John Constable confirmed it doesn’t and any future payment requests would need to come through Schools Forum. Robin Crofts explained that the issue of financial support for Free Schools has been raised at SOG.
Schools Forum agreed to honour the decision and provide the money and are happy for it to be distributed £10,000 each to the 3 Free Schools but to make it clear it was a historical decision and a one off and doesn’t set a precedent for the future.
Clerk
Schools Forum noted their thanks to Michelle Perkins for all her efficient work as Clerk as this was likely to be her last meeting.