Agenda item

to receive a verbal report on the above by Hefin Owen

The report was submitted, noting that it was proposed to release a summary of the Schools' Devolved Grants to them with their school's allocation. The allocations spreadsheet was explained and it was noted that 'other' in column 3 included money for teacher training. The grants on the spreadsheet were discussed.

6th Form Grant - it was noted that information had been received from the Government about this grant that confirmed it was £3,284,887, which was £55,516 higher than the forecast.   It was stated that this was a grant increase of 3.9% compared with 2018/19, although the number of pupils had decreased. It was added that in future it was expected that the figure would rise with an increase in the contributions to teachers' pensions.

Education Improvement Grant - it was noted that the department was still awaiting further information.  It was stated that it appeared to be the same sum as 2018/19, although costs had increased and this would correspond to a cut of approximately 5% in real terms. It was stated that the department continued to await answers, however, it was added that the national total continued to be the same sum and therefore the department was confident that the estimate was correct. 

Pupil Development Grant - it was stated that this grant was based on the January 2016 PLASC and it was expected that the grant would continue on the same basis for 2019/20.  It was noted that wage inflation for classroom assistants would increase by 5% and therefore in real terms the figure was a substantial cut.

National Model Grant for Professional Learning - It was noted that the Council was expecting a share of the national £15m, which would be approximately £580,000 for Gwynedd schools. It was added that the department was still awaiting further information.

Teachers' Pay Grant - it was stated that information for this grant had been received.  It was added that the grant was not in the settlement but was a separate grant.  It was noted that the grant was dependent on the Welsh Government approving the Gwynedd scheme namely the intention of using the grant as a contribution towards the cost of funding the whole year impact of the September 2018 teachers' pay agreement and the September 2019 teachers' pay agreement.

Attention was also drawn to additional grants that had been/would be received late for 2018/19.  It was noted that this money would be sent directly to schools.  In addition, it was noted there was a need to keep an eye on teachers' pensions, as this could be a problem for schools.

Observations arising from the discussion

-        It was asked if there was a need to share this information with schools - it was determined that this should be left until the allocation was received in the hope that all grants would have been confirmed by the Government by then. 

Resolved: To accept the report and send the information to schools when sending the budgets.