Agenda item

Julie Pickering provided the Forum with an update on the progress that has been made regarding PFI.

David Banham has located the original Final Business Case and this will be circulated to members of the Schools Forum.

Julie Pickering reported that an initial meeting took place internally with David Banham, the Finance Team and Legal Team to ascertain the way forward. A positive meeting had also been held with QED/Pario (PFI contractor) and the managing agent. A meeting with the Headteachers of the three PFI schools is planned before the end of the summer term. 

Julie reported that the DfE has invited SBC to be potentially part of a pilot which could provide pace and additional resources to take forward the review,including legal input. The cost of taking part in the pilot would be met by the LA.  And if any of these savings are implemented then DfE are asking for 10% of savings. If successful in being selected the pilot would take place over the next 3 months. Debbie Richards raised concerns re the timing as this is over the summer holiday. 

Kathleen Higgins asked for more information on the pilot for members of the Forum and Julie agreed to circulate the information to the Forum.

Julie noted the deadline to confirm to the DfE is the 4^th July.

The recommendations were:

• The Forum noted the progress made since the last meeting
• The Forum noted that, once any savings have been realised, the remaining affordability funding gap will need to be found on a phased basis from 2015/16. This was noted but with no assumptions about the sources of that funding at this stage e.g. no assumptions about implications for the DSG.
• The Forum confirmed support for SBC participating as one of DfE pilots if successful in being selected.
• Agreed that further updates are provided to the Forum as progress is made with the next updates scheduled for the autumn term: September and October meetings. To be noted on the forward plan.