Decision

RESOLVED:  That the Forum:

AGREED the proposal to consult subject to the Head of School Effectiveness reviewing the 3.5% inflationary increase to reflect both the teachers’ pay uplift and decrease in teachers’ pension funding contributions.

Reasons for Recommendations:

Maintained schools continue to face increasing challenges in relation to:

•           Educational standards and pupil outcomes.

•           Leadership capacity and succession planning.

•           Inclusion and attendance.

•           SEND and vulnerable learner outcomes.

•           School workforce pressures.

De-delegated funding enables the Local Authority to:

•           Maintain capacity to respond swiftly where concerns emerge.

•           Provide early intervention before issues escalate.

•           Support school leaders in securing rapid improvement.

•           Meet statutory duties relating to maintained schools.

•           Promote consistency of support across the maintained sector.

Without de-delegation, the Local Authority would have limited capacity to provide proactive support and intervention and maintained schools would need to secure equivalent support independently, potentially at greater cost. This would risk the sustainability of the Local Authority’s ability to maintain schools.

Actions arising:

SF/151026/6: That the Head of Education Effectiveness review the proposed de-delegation rate to reflect changes in school funding, including reductions in employer pension contributions, and explain this within consultation materials.