Issue - meetings

Report ED15091

The Sub-Committee considered a report setting out the budget monitoring position for the Education Portfolio based on the projected outturn position for 2015/16.  The Schools’ Budget, funded from Dedicated Schools’ Grant and specific grants was projected to be in an overspend position of £774k, which would be set against unspent Dedicated Schools Grant carried forward from previous years.  The controllable part of the Non-Schools’ Budget, funded from Council Tax, Revenue Support and specific grants was projected to be in an overspend position of £468k, which included £328k overspend in the Adult Education Service.

Members were advised that on 10^th June 2015, the Council’s Executive approved a number of carry forward requests for funding to be transferred into contingency for 2015/16.  This included a carry forward request for £19k of the Early Years Grant to purchase the Capita Provider Portal in preparation for the implementation of the Early Years Pupil Premium, and £46k of the SEN Preparation for Employment Grant to support the provision of internships and other preparation for employment measures to young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities.  It was also requested that £77k of the Youth Offending Service Strategic Review be carried forward to fund the work required to address issues identified during the recent inspection of the Youth Offending Service, and £11k from the underspend in Education be carried forward to fund a one-off review of place planning for schools which would be supplemented by £30k of Dedicated Schools Grant and Capital funding.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Assistant Director: Education confirmed that the budget for the Youth Offending Team was within the Education Portfolio, but that the overarching management of the service was the responsibility of Kay Weiss, Assistant Director: Safeguarding and Social Care.

RESOLVED that:

1)  The latest 2015/16 budget projection for the Education Portfolio be noted;

2)  The Portfolio Holder for Education be recommended to:

i)  Endorse the 2015/16 budget projection for the Education Portfolio;

ii)  Agree the request to release £19k grant funding for Early Years, carried forward from 2014/15;

iii)  Agree the request to release £46k grant funding for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, carried forward from 2014/15;

iv)  Agree the request to release £11k carried forward from 2014/15 to support a review of school place planning; and,

v)  Agree the request to release of £77k carried forward from 2014/15 to support a review of the Youth Offending Service.