Issue - meetings

Report ED13002

The Sub-Committee considered a report setting out the budget monitoring position for the Education Portfolio based on expenditure to the end of November 2012.  The Schools’ Budget, funded from the Dedicated Schools’ Grant and specific grants, was forecast to spend in line with budget.  The controllable part of the Non-Schools’ Budget, funded from Council Tax, Revenue Support and specific grants, was forecast to be in an underspend position of £1,817,000.

The Chairman noted that Education Commissioning and Business Services had an underspend of £343k, primarily due to 8 vacant posts not being filled.  The Assistant Director: Education confirmed that following a restructure, the work undertaken by this team would now be delivered by the Central Commissioning Team and Bromley Adult Education College.  Councillor Nicholas Bennett JP requested that a breakdown of income for Education Commissioning and Business Services for 2012/13 be provided to the next meeting of Education Budget Sub-Committee.

In considering an overspend of £51k in the Access and Admissions Service attributed to lower levels of staff turnover than budgeted for and printing of brochures, posters and application forms, the Assistant Director: Education confirmed that the overspend was partially due to the purchasing of licenses to support online schools admissions which would be an ongoing cost.  Councillor Nicholas Bennett JP highlighted the need to move to print-on-demand for printed materials where appropriate and requested that a breakdown of current spend on brochures, posters and application forms be provided to a future meeting of the Education PDS Committee.

RESOLVED that:

1)  The latest 2012/13 budget projection for the Education Portfolio be noted; and,

2)  The Education Portfolio Budget Monitoring Report 2012/13 be recommended to the Education Portfolio Holder for approval.