Apologies for absence were received from R. Bevan, J. Jones, L Thorne and J Johnson.

Minutes attached

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 20^th October 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

Report from the Clerk attached

The Board considered a report from the Principal Democratic Services Officer providing an update on the attendance of Board members for the period December 2019 to October 2020 and an update on the current vacancies.

Resolved:

1. That the attendance at Board meetings for the period December 2019 to October 2020, as set out in Appendix 1, be noted.

2. That the current membership and vacancies, set out at Appendix 2, be noted and that the vacancies in the relevant sectors be re-advertised/promoted within all schools / school governing bodies.

3. That the following Education Board members be reappointed for a period of 4 years: Dr P Hayman; L Cark; J Mullan; V Wright; L Yelland.

Report for decision attached

The Board considered a report from the Senior Finance Officer presenting the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), covering:

·         Final funding methodology for distribution of the 2021/22 Individual School Block (ISB) allocations

·         Remaining final indicative DSG budget allocation for 2021/22

·         Principle decision on Early years funding rates for 2021/22

·         Updated forecast outturn for 2020/21

The Board discussed the report and asked a number of questions which were responded to by officers.

Resolved:

1. That the remaining 2021/22 total funded amount for Central Block services with note to the Department for Education (DfE) DSG historic commitment funding that has continued to unwind moving forward (As referenced in paragraph 9.10 of the submitted report), be agreed.

2. That, with consideration to resolution 1 above, the indicative and remaining 2021/22 per pupil uplift applied to all individual school block allocations, who have either not benefited from and therefore already funded above the minimum funding rates per pupil for 2021/22 or a 3% uplift to applied to the applicable core National Funding Formulae (NFF) pupil led factors, be set, as illustrated in the October 2020 DSG EB paper with the NFF maximum allowable 2% uplift funding applied per pupil (As referenced in paragraph 4.2 of the report).

3. That the de-delegation of funding to be centrally retained from the Schools block for the following services, be agreed:

·           Staff Costs (Public duties)

4. That, if possible, the 2021/22 Early years funding rates be set as based on the principle decision recommended in paragraph 7.4 of the report.

5. That, on the basis of the decisions undertaken through both this and the previous October 2020 DSG report, this DSG paper and the following January 2021 DSG report be recommended to Council for final approval in February 2021.

6. That it be noted that, in line with the decisions of both the March 2019 DSG report and the December 2020 DSG report, the growth fund to support schools will continue to be held centrally within the Schools block and distributed to provide the extra required planned places within the authority. (As referenced in 6.1.3 of the report).

Verbal update (no papers)

The Board received a verbal update from the Director of Learning on the education response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the current situation in the Borough. The Director also extended his appreciation and thanks to all schools for their support and work during the pandemic.

The Board reiterated its concerns which were raised at the last meeting, particularly the need for an extension to the school holidays.  In response to a question concerning testing the Director of Learning advised that staff and pupils will be part of the significant testing programme before they return to school.

Resolved:

That the update be noted.

(a) School Performance Sub Group held 17^th November 2020 – minutes attached

(b) Vulnerable Learners Sub Group held 26^th November 2020 - minutes attached

(c) Resources Sub Group held 1^st December 2020 – draft minutes attached

The received the following Sub Group minutes:

a) School Performance S.G. held 17^th November 2020;

b) Vulnerable Learners S.G. held 26^th November 2020; and

c) Resources S.G. held 1^st December 2020.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Sub Groups’ be noted.

There was no other business conducted at this meeting.

19^th January 2021 at 8.15am

16^th March 2021 at 8.15am

22^nd June 2021 at 8.15am

The following future dates were noted:

19^th January 2021 at 8.15am

16^th March 2021 at 8.15am

22^nd June 2021 at 8.15am

In accordance with paragraphs 65 to 67 of the Education Board Constitution, the press and public, be excluded for the items of business set out below in line with relevant legislation (such as the Data Protection Act) on the grounds that the matters contain sensitive information.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with paragraphs 65 to 67 of the Education Board Constitution, the press and public, be excluded for the items of business set out below in line with relevant legislation (such as the Data Protection Act) on the grounds that the matters contain sensitive information.

Report for noting attached

The Board considered a confidential report providing an update on the actions taken and the progress on the additional support to early years providers during Autumn term 2020. The report also advised that any remaining funding from the Autumn term 2020 for additional support would be carried forward to Spring term 2021.

Resolved:

That the report, the actions taken and those that will be taken in Spring term 2021, be noted.

Confidential appendix attached

The Board considered a confidential appendix relating to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Budget report (agenda item 5 above).

The Board asked a number of questions which were responded to by officers.

Following discussion of the confidential appendix the Board came back into Part 1 for the decisions (as set out under agenda item 5 above).