Issue - meetings

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting as the following item was considered to be exempt by virtue of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

That the school reserve balances as at 31 March 2018 be noted.

The Finance Manager (People & Resources) presented the annual report on school reserve balances in Flintshire, as at 31 March 2018.  The report had also recently been considered by the Audit Committee.

The overall level of reserves had decreased by 11% since the previous year and a 47% increase in the net deficit of reserves held by secondary schools was offset by a 15% increase in primary reserves.  Whilst the late allocation of Welsh Government (WG) funding had been welcomed, this masked the underlying trend on the outturn position.  Secondary school budgets were under significant pressure and schools with positive balances held a low level of reserves which raised concerns about financial resilience.  There were a number of contributing factors including pupil numbers, staffing and schools having to absorb the cost of inflationary increases due to continuing austerity measures.  Reserve balances in the primary sector fared better, however demographic changes would result in a redistribution of funding between primary and secondary sectors.  A forthcoming bulletin from WG reporting the national position would be circulated.  The Council’s accounting teams were working with schools to develop three year plans to help with budget management.  A national benchmarking tool used by secondary schools was being developed for the primary sector to help identify savings on charges.

The Chairman was aware that some Members wished to raise queries on specific schools and that to do so would require a more confidential discussion.  Councillor Mackie proposed that the press and public be excluded under the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.  This was seconded and supported by the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting as the following item was considered to be exempt by virtue of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).