Agendas, Meetings and Minutes - Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Nichola Garner Committee and Appellate Officer  01905 846626 Email: DemocraticServices@worcestershire.gov.uk

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Items
No. Item

2010.

Apologies and Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

None

2011.

Public Participation

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance in writing or by e-mail indicating both the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am, three working days before the meeting (in this case Monday 7 December 2020).  Further details are available on the Council's website.  Enquiries can also be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed below.

Minutes:

Three members of the Public addressed the Cabinet regarding item 4 on the agenda:

·       Dr Johnny Birks queried why there was no mention of climate impacts in relation to future funding for schools. He felt that the council should assess the carbon footprint of school meals and asked whether the council would act to reduce the carbon footprint of food in schools and ensure that schools had sufficient funding to play their part to achieve that.

 

·       Caroline Sheen asked that in considering fair funding for schools the Council provide leadership, adequate funding and technical support for all schools to enable them to play their part in achieving net zero carbon.

 

·       David Whiting asked that the County Council reaffirm its commitment to the Learning for Sustainability programme and commit to maintaining and enhancing the role of Sustainability Officers in the light of the UK Government's stated intention to cut carbon emissions faster than any major economy so far.

 

The Chairman thanked the public participants for their contributions.

 

2012.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the previous meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of 19 November 2020 have been previously circulated.

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 November 2020 were agreed to be an accurate record and would be signed by the Chairman.

2013.

Fair Funding for Schools 2021-22 - National and Local Funding Arrangements for Schools pdf icon PDF 380 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report was introduced by The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Skills.

 

In response to the members of the public who asked questions, the Cabinet Member clarified that the funding for schools detailed in the report was the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) which was a sum of money received from central government to be passported to schools. There was no opportunity for the Council to decide what the money was spent on.

 

It was explained that four years previously, the Government had said it was their intention to move to a national funding formula, rather than use the local funding formula which had been in place. The national funding formula had never made its way onto the statute book so effectively the local funding formula was still in place but it was implemented along national funding formula parameters. The funding allocation was good news because although Worcestershire was still a poorly funded authority compared to other authorities, the amount of money received was increasing and was actually an increase of £54 million in four years. The number of pupils had increased but based on the amount per pupil, the increased numbers would only have accounted for an additional £6 million.  This funding formula was for mainstream schools, not for higher needs pupils.

 

Overall schools in Worcestershire had done well during the pandemic and 90% of pupils were currently in school; a higher percentage of pupils than nationally. At present there were 27 schools affected by collapsed bubbles with far fewer pupils out of school due to Covid than there were a couple of weeks ago.

 

Following the introduction various comments were made:

·    The increase in funding was greatly appreciated and good news for Worcestershire schools but it was still recognised that Worcestershire wanted fair funding for schools compared to other areas of the country

·    A review of funding for special educational needs and disabilities was on-going. It was felt that Central Government needed to address the higher needs gap

·    Funding needed to continue for rural primary schools to be able to exist. It was pointed out that if small schools were closed the children in those areas would have to travel further to attend school which would increase their carbon footprint. The closure of a small school would adversely affect the village and could mean that families move out

·    Schools were recognised as a safe place for children in terms of safeguarding as teachers were likely to notice and report any problems

·    Schools were praised for staying open during the pandemic, initially for the children of key workers and since September for all children.

·    The Cabinet Member was thanked for his report and the increase in funding which was obviously good news for schools in Worcestershire.

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

(a)    had regard to the information provided to schools on 18 September 2020;

 

(b)   noted the Department for Education policy for school and Local Authority funding for 2021-22 detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

 

(c)    noted the involvement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2013.