Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Johnson Room - Tickfield

Contact: Robert Harris 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies, Substitutions and Introductions

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Margaret Rimmer (Kingsdown Special School, substituted by Melanie Hall) and Jane Youdale (Early Years providers).

2.

Membership pdf icon PDF 59 KB

·         List of current members (attached)

·         Appointments

·         Vacancies

 

Minutes:

The up-to-date list of members was provided at the meeting and it was noted that:

 

·      Paul Hayman had been returned as an Academy Secondary school representative;

·      Joseph Parsad has resigned creating a vacancy for a governor representative of secondary academies;

·      No nominations were received for the 2 maintained primary (one school and one governor) vacancies or for the primary academy school vacancy

·      Maurice Sweeting’s period of office was until 4th December 2020 and not 2017 as indicated on the membership list;

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the current membership situation be noted.

 

2. That further request for nominations be sought to fill the vacancies for maintained primary schools, primary academies, Alternative Provision Academy and the Pupil Referral Unit.

3.

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 7th December 2016 and Matters Arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Minutes attached

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 7th December 2016 were received.

 

Resolved:

 

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

4.

Summary Action Sheet pdf icon PDF 52 KB

Attached.

Minutes:

The Board received the Summary Action Sheet.  It included items that had been added arising from the last meeting and members were informed of progress in the implementation of the decisions.

5.

SLA with Seabrook: Funding of Nurture Bases pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Paper attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cathy Braun presented her report which updated the Board on the progress of negotiating the three service level agreements currently held with Seabrook College with the new Academy sponsor Parallel Learning Trust for the delivery of:

 

·      Alternative Provision and prevention pathways;

·      Outreach Service for Behaviour and Reintegration Support;

·      Individual Tuition Service.

 

The Board members commented as follows:-

 

·      The significant reduction in the number of primary short term nurture places (reduced from 54 places down to 16 places) from 2014 to current as a result of the closure of the Eastwood Nurture Base and the formation of the behaviour outreach service;

·      The long standing concerns about the quality of provision and the effective use of the nurture base funding. 

·      Must ensure that (i) the SLA’s are operating on a sound basis; (ii) that schools are fully aware of the support available and (iii) effective mapping of actual need;

·      The complexity of need has significantly increased and it must be recognised that individual schools cannot always meet the needs of their pupils given the complex issues they may have;

·      Emphasised the need for regular monitoring of the effectiveness and delivery of the SLA’s and that the outcomes are being met – ensuring that the services deliver what is required;

·      The need for more effective outreach work;

·      Emphasised that if need is not met at primary school level it can become a significant problem at secondary school level;

·      Officers should go back to the PLT with two options for the funding of the transportation of pupils on preventative places – (i) to keep the 8k top up or (ii) reduce the top-up and individual schools cover the costs;

 

In answer to questions and the above comments it was noted that:

 

·      Outreach support had increased and the nurture support had been reduced;

·      The new SLAs were much stronger than previously in place;

·      The issue was not that there were insufficient resources but how the funds were being used;

·      Emphasised that Seabrook was not the answer for some of the high need and complex issues;

·      Officers would take forward appropriate arrangements for the monitoring of the effectiveness of the SLAs and the outcomes, e.g. through a sub group of the Education Board.  Primary and Secondary schools most effected by the SLA’s will be involved to ensure that the SLAs are providing the right solutions;

·      Advised that in respect to the export/import of pupils across boundaries it was approximately the same (after this meeting it was clarified that actual figures indicate that there were more pupils imported from outside the borough (after the meeting it was clarified that over the last four years we have seen an average net loss to Essex and other destinations of 300 and a net gain from Essex, the London Boroughs and other sources of 567. Giving us a gross gain of 267 pupils, mainly into the selective schools).

·      Noted that the original SLAs would continue to operate until the new SLA’s and new provider were in place and set-up;

 

Resolved:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Early Years National Funding Formula

Report to follow

Minutes:

Elaine Hammans presented her report which highlighted the changes to early years funding to providers from April 2017.  Southend Borough Council funding allocation for 2017/18 has been confirmed at an overall rate of £4.40 per hour.

 

The Board commented on the 30 hour entitlement for working parents which comes into effect in September 2017 and the impact the entitlement will have on early years providers.

 

Resolved:

 

That the new 3 and 4 year old funding rates and the 2 year old funding rate of £5.20 be recommended to the Council for approval.

 

 

7.

Schools Budget 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 91 KB

Report attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Ian Ambrose presented his report which set out the draft 2017/18 schools budget.

 

The Board commented that the key issue was around the changes to the NFF with a potential £12 million reduction in schools funding (the NFF was discussed in detail under agenda item 8 below). 

 

The Board also discussed the school census returns in respect to the EAL and expressed concerns that the information provided by schools could be incorrect.

 

Resolved:

 

That the proposed 2017/18 Schools Budget be agreed and recommended to the Council for approval.

 

8.

Implications of the NFF Consultation pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Report to follow

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Ian Ambrose presented his report which advised of the Department for Education recently launched consultations around the Schools National Funding Formula and the High Needs National Funding Formula. 

 

The Board noted that these consultations have a significant impact on mainstream schools, special schools, and the PRU and it was important that all affected contribute to the consultation process.

 

The Board commented, as follows:

 

·      The actual percentage of individual schools has not been included – aware that the DoE will publish the actual figures for individual schools shortly – in real terms schools will see a significant percentage reduction in their funding;

·      The Area Cost Adjustment for Southend was a significant issue and does not reflect the actual cost pressures faced by schools and the Council;

·      The difficulties in the borough for recruitment and retention of teachers;

·      Changes to the NFF and insufficient pupil income will impact schools with decisions being made whether to sustain a 5 day school model or subjects being removed from the curriculum;

·      Crucial that school governing bodies fully understand the impact the changes to the NFF will have now and in future years; Schools must respond to the DoE and emphasise the damaging impact the changes will have;

·      The rising birthrate in the borough which will hit secondary schools in 2020;

·      The need to lobby at the highest level;

·      Need to raise the arguments and make a strong case for coastal area schools receiving the same level of funding as inner city schools;

·      The borough’s closeness to London and how this works against the borough in terms of funding, etc;

 

In response to questions/comments it was noted that the Executive Councillor for Children and Learning will be meeting with the Rt. Hon. James Dudderidge MP for Rochford and Southend East to raise the issues and the impact that the NFF changes will have for Southend.

 

AGREED:

 

1. That the key issues identified by the Board (summarised above) be taken into account and included in the Local Authority’s response to the consultations and that:

 

(a) A short life sub-group of the Board is set-up to assist in the response to the Schools National Funding Formula consultation.  The sub-group to include the following Board members: Robin Bevan, Tim Barrett, Lisa Clark, Gerry Glazier and Maurice Sweeting.

 

(b) The existing SEND Strategic Board be used to assist in the response to the High Needs Funding Reform consultation.

 

2. That information about the consultation process be disseminate through the school networks, professional associations, partnerships and other channels to encourage all those affected to reply directly to the consultations..

9.

SEN High Needs

Report to follow

Minutes:

This matter was considered under Agenda Item 8 above.

10.

Secondary School Pupil Places

Report to follow

Minutes:

The Board received an update on the current and future situation for secondary school pupil places up to 2020.

 

In response to questions/comments it was noted:-

 

·      That in September 2018 there was a current shortfall of 61 pupil places – one school has agreed to provide 30 additional places and therefore 31 places were still needed;

·      That the pressure for additional places was mainly in the central area and in the catchment area for Leigh-on-Sea schools;

·      Consideration needs to be given to Free Schools and a Trust would need to bid to the DoE.  The DoE would visit Southend to identify suitable sites.  Areas where potential new schools could be located were highlighted; 

·      There were no areas designated for school sites within the Local Plan;

 

Resolved:

 

That Secondary School Pupil Places be a standing item on the agenda of the Education Board.

11.

Report from SPWG

Report to follow

Minutes:

The Board was informed that the Council had recruited an interim Group Manager for School Improvement who will provide support to the School Performance Working Group (SPWG).  This group will look at a range of school data and interventions.

 

Resolved:

 

That the update on the SPWG be noted.

12.

Information Items

Ambitions Document Launch – to follow

Minutes:

The Board received a copy of the ‘Our ambitions for your child’s education in Southend’ document produced by the Council’s Department of People.  The document will be sent out to all schools in the borough.

 

Resolved:


That the ambitions document be noted.

13.

Items for the next meeting

Minutes:

The following items were identified for inclusion on the agenda:

 

·      Secondary School Pupil Places;

·      Arrangements for evaluating effectiveness of SLAs;

·      Update on 2016/17 DSG;

14.

Dates for 2017/18 Academic Year

Minutes:

The following meetings have previously been agreed:

 

15th March 2017;

7th June 2017;

 

The venue for 15th March 2017 was to be resolved as the Tickfield Centre is not currently available.  It was agreed that if Tickfield was not available then the meeting should be held at Westcliff High School for Girls.

 

 

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