Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee acknowledges the work done in previous years to        protect schools budgets;

(b)       That the Committee recognises that a ‘cash flat’ settlement poses risks       to schools and their ability to deliver the curriculum effectively;

(c)        That should additional resources become available, the Committee             recommends that Council provides an uplift to schools budgets if at all possible; and

(d)       That the Committee urge all parties to campaign as vigorously as possible, the National UK Government and Welsh Government to see an increase in quantum funding.

            The Chief Executive presented the stage two proposals for the School funding formula level for the 2018/19 Council Fund Budget.  The report outlined the potential risks and mitigations of such proposals on the delivery of quality educational services in Flintshire and provided contextual information on the current level of school balances, reductions in grant funding from Welsh Government (WG) and an overview of the inflationary cost pressures facing schools.

            Council at its December meeting approved the Stage two budget for the Council Fund Budget 2018/19 subject to several specific proposals being referred to Overview and Scrutiny for detailed scrutiny prior to further consideration by Cabinet and ultimately Council.  One of the specific budget proposals was that schools would only receive a ‘cash flat’ settlement for 2018-19 creating an efficiency of £1.143m, and that adjustments to school budget were made based on pupil demography, saving a further £0.288m.

            The Chief Executive concluded that despite the challenges of austerity over a prolonged period, the Council had managed to provide a small degree of financial protection to schools’ delegated funding and had previously met the Welsh Government’s Ministerial protection percentage uplifts for schools.  The challenging financial situation which was requiring the Council to consider setting only a ‘cash flat’ budget for schools had been created by nationally set policies which were unfunded e.g. pay awards for teachers and support staff and an increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions. 

            The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) reported that Schools had been proactive in adjusting to reducing funding levels and had critically reviewed their budgets to absorb pressures whilst focusing on maintaining the delivery of a quality curriculum and improving learner outcomes.  Open and honest discussions had been held with Schools with some more exposed to the financial challenges than others.  A further risk to school budgets was the reduction of specific grants in the Education and Youth Portfolio, as detailed within the report, which schools relied on to deliver services themselves or from which they received support services directly from the Council.   

            The Chairman invited Mrs. Rachel Molyneux, Richard Collett, Mrs. Ann Peers and Mr. John Wier, representing the Primary and Secondary Head Teachers Federation, to outline to the Committee their views on the current budget proposals for schools.  A copy of the representations made are attached at Appendix 1 and 2 of the minutes.

            The Leader of the Council thanked the Head Teachers for their attendance.  He commented on the continued challenges of austerity and the possible financial challenges facing the Council in the future financial years if the austerity programme continued.  He detailed the specific requests which had been made to Welsh Government (WG) for additional funding through an increase in the Domiciliary Care Fee Cap, recovery of 50% of the Apprentice Tax Levy, and a guarantee of future financial contributions through the Intermediate Care Fund (ICF).  He supported the case being put forward by Head Teachers and the need to continue to lobby UK National Government and Welsh Government to seek additional funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35