The Schools Forum meeting scheduled for Monday 17 November 2025 was set to cover a range of financial and operational matters concerning schools within the London Borough of Hounslow. Key discussions were expected to include the Schools Capital Maintenance Programme, school balances, financial sustainability initiatives, and updates on the Hounslow Education Partnership.

Schools Capital Maintenance Programme 2026-27

The meeting was scheduled to consider the proposed Schools Capital Maintenance Programme for the 2026-27 financial year. This programme is funded by the Department for Education's School Condition Allowance grant, which for 2025-26 was allocated at £4,335,795. The report indicated that projects are prioritised based on condition survey information, focusing on high-priority areas such as Mechanical and Electrical systems, Envelope (roofs, windows, structure), and Health and Safety. The programme is developed using data from the Civica Tf Cloud asset management system, and the Asset Management Plan Advisory Group (AMPAG), comprising school-nominated representatives, supports the proposed project selections. The report noted that the condition survey data was at the end of its cycle, with new surveys underway, and the proposed programme included works identified from existing data and high-priority urgent works. The programme also complements the Council's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which has augmented heating systems with Air Source Heat Pumps and installed Solar PV to reduce carbon emissions and utility costs.

Schools Balances at 31 March 2025 - Bedfont Primary School Appeal

A significant item on the agenda was the appeal from Bedfont Primary School regarding a proposed clawback of £29,889 from its excess balance as at 31 March 2025. The Council's Scheme for Financing Schools defines excess balances as those exceeding 8.3% of a school's funding. The report detailed that Bedfont Primary School had an excess balance of £77,954, and the Council proposed to claw back £29,889 because the school indicated it would only spend £48,065 of this balance on a revenue contribution to an agreed capital scheme. The school's appeal, submitted by its Governing Body and Headteacher, argued that the surplus arose from exceptional and unforeseen circumstances, including late funding allocations and temporary underspends due to senior leadership departures. They stated the retained funds were committed to urgent health and safety compliance works identified in the statutory Fire Risk Assessment, including the installation of emergency lighting, fire door devices, and fire-rated kitchen shutters. The total planned expenditure for these works (£35,786.74) exceeded the proposed clawback amount, and the school projected its reserves would fall below the 8.3% threshold by 31 March 2025. The Schools Forum was asked to recommend whether the Council should proceed with the full clawback, a proportion, or no clawback at all.

Hounslow Schools Financial Sustainability Programme

An update was scheduled on the Hounslow Schools Financial Sustainability Programme (HSFSP). The report indicated that the HSFSP team had met with ten schools identified as having the highest forecast percentage deficits. These meetings highlighted common challenges, including unaffordable staffing models, training needs for schools and governing bodies, and specific pressures such as the impact of enhanced maternity pay and SEND costs. The meetings resulted in recommendations for schools to explore options they had not previously considered, and the HSFSP team planned to reconvene with these schools in six to eight weeks to review revised three-year budgets. The report also noted that while academies are not obligated to share financial data with the Local Authority, their audited reports and accounts are publicly available, albeit with a reporting lag. A search of academy finances indicated a cumulative reserve balance of £24 million for Hounslow academies in 2023/24.

Finance Updates

Several finance-related items were on the agenda:

• Financial Monitoring 2025/26: This update was expected to provide a review of the financial position for the current year. The supplementary agenda indicated a focus on the General Fund and the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) projection for 2025/26. The General Fund summary showed forecasted overspends in areas such as Waste and Recycling (£2.8m), Social Care Academy (£1.3m), Corporate budgets (£1.3m), and Leisure service (£1.0m), alongside unallocated savings shortfalls (£2.1m). The DSG projection showed a balanced budget across Schools, High Needs, and Early Years blocks, with a minor overspend in High Needs (£0.1m) and a reserve usage of £4.3m.
• Scheme for Financing Schools Consultation: The meeting was to consider the outcomes of a consultation on proposed amendments to the Scheme for Financing Schools and Schools Finance Regulations. The proposed changes included introducing earlier deadlines for three-year budgets, requiring the completion of an Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP) workbook alongside budgets, and introducing a loan scheme. The report detailed responses from 28 schools, with commentary on the proposed 1 May deadline for financial forecasts, the introduction of the ICFP submission, and changes to the control of surplus balances, including an increase in the excess balance percentage to 10%. The LA's response to the consultation was also to be presented.
• Expenditure funded from Schools Block 2025/26 (De-Delegations): This item concerned proposals for de-delegated budgets for the 2026-27 financial year. The report outlined proposed de-delegations for:
  • Administration of free school meals (£52,372) for mainstream maintained primary schools.
  • Trade Union facility time (£77,269) for mainstream maintained primary schools.
  • Schools Improvement services (£471,234) for mainstream maintained primary and secondary schools.
  • Schools support services (education function) (£568,184) for mainstream maintained primary and secondary schools.
  • A new contingency fund to support maintained schools facing significant financial difficulties (£203,131) for mainstream maintained primary and secondary schools. The total proposed de-delegated budget for 2026-27 was £1,372,190, an increase of 24.85% from 2025-26, largely due to the introduction of the contingency fund. The report also detailed the Facilities Time Scheme, outlining the provisions for trade union representatives and the financial arrangements for these facilities.

Hounslow Education Partnership: Annual Review of Schools' Company Operation

The meeting was scheduled to receive an annual review of the Hounslow Education Partnership (HEP). HEP was established as a Schools Company in September 2018 and currently has 73 member institutions. The report outlined HEP's aims and objectives, which include strengthening the school-led system in Hounslow, improving educational quality, providing opportunities for communities, and focusing on vulnerable pupils. It also detailed HEP's strategic priorities for 2025-27, such as raising standards, building beneficial connections, meeting the needs of vulnerable children, and investing in teaching and leadership. A summary of HEP's income and expenditure for the year ending 31 August 2025 was provided, showing a net surplus of £20,000 against a budgeted deficit of £125,000. The report noted that HEP held £125,000 in ring-fenced funds for specific projects, with an uncommitted carry forward of £159,000. The Council's Chief Finance Officer commented that HEP appeared financially stable, with a £50,000 annual match-funding agreement from the Council for a Collaboration Fund.

Director's Updates

Updates were also expected on the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Programme.

Schools Forum Forward Plan

The Schools Forum's forward plan for future meetings was also to be reviewed.