Issue - meetings

To consider a verbal report on the above.

The Forum was reminded of the change in the Additional Allocation Minimum Staffing Protection Policy in order to reduce the protection allocation to be equivalent to the balances element over 5% of the last year published (balances at the end of 2014-15 in relation to the protection allocation 2016-17).

Letters were sent to schools with a surplus over the threshold and they were invited to submit an application not to reduce the staffing minimum protection for 2016/17.   By the Forum date 11 applications had been received with one late application that had not been processed.  Out of the 11:  5 schools will receive full protection back with the majority of the funding used for staffing (namely Head/Teacher in each school).

In response to the above, the Cabinet Member for Resources noted his discontent that the situation was not acceptable bearing in mind that all Council Services had to comply with their allocated budgets.     He added that they should be firm with the schools and a significant improvement was expected in school balances next year.  It was noted that there was a need for every catchment-area to face the reality of the situation with the need to hurry up with the organisation of schools.  

The Cabinet Member for Education voiced the same concern and discontent with the situation and it was difficult for him in Cabinet meetings to argue the case of the Schools Service in terms of financial cuts bearing in mind that some schools had fairly substantial sums in balances.    It was suggested that the Cabinet Member should express the Forum's discontent at a meeting of GYDCA regarding the use of balances and to implore them to use them in order to alleviate the situation for next year.  

Resolved:       (a) To accept and note the above.

                        (b) To approve that the Cabinet Member for Education conveys the Forum's concern regarding the use of balances and to encourage them to reduce them by next year.