Agenda item

Centrally retained items Schools Block approval

Minutes:

Each year Schools Forum needs to agree the Schools Block centrally held budgets within the DSG. The report recommended that the centrally held budgets for 2016-17 continue as in 2015-16 budget.

 

Appendix A set out the proposed spend for Cambridge Education of £932,905 to fulfil requirements of the contract i.e. early support, monitoring, challenge and intervention and commissioned work. As the contract ends on 30th September 2016, spend will be pro-rata.

 

The report requested continuation of the current funding of £1.2m and it was agreed that the balance between this figure and the amount specified by Cambridge Education for use would be discussed in January at Schools Forum.

 

Nicky Willis asked why Headteachers have been asked to formally propose KS2 projects for school improvement in a separate report coming to the Schools Forum in January and asked why this could not be part of the Cambridge Education proposal. 

 

The £932,905 was agreed with decision about the balance to be made at the January meeting.

 

Kathleen Higgins noted that there has frequently been underspend in this area and that Schools Forum should take account of this in January and consider returning funding to school budgets.

 

Appendix B

Schools Forum agreed the Schools Forum (£53k) and CERA (£149k) budget lines but requested clarification of the £28,400 for School Improvement and whether this should be returned to schools or transferred to Cambridge Education. It was questioned whether it was permissible to hold a contingency and it was agreed that the £10,479 to be moved back into the Schools Budget. Coral Miller to report back to Schools Forum in January with clarification regarding the £28,400 school improvement and raising standards budget which may then be returned to the Schools Budget if appropriate. 

 

Supporting documents: