To consider a report by County Councillor Myfanwy Alexander, Portfolio Holder for Learning and Welsh Language and County Councillor Aled Davies, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Countryside and Transport.
Minutes:
County Councillors Aled Davies and James Evans declared personal and prejudicial interests in this report and left the meeting while it was being considered.
Cabinet was advised that since the agenda had been published, Llanfyllin High School and Ysgol Meifod had submitted compliant budgets and therefore the recommendation in the report would be amended to reflect this. The Portfolio Holder for Learning and Welsh Language advised that setting school budgets had become more difficult with the move from funding supported through the Revenue Support Grant to one off grants which schools could not guarantee would last from one year to the next. This was also one of the reasons that some schools built up reserves.
The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee presented the Committee’s recommendations on the report highlighting in particular concerns over the deficit at Ysgol Calon Cymru, the level of central support available to schools and the training available to governors. With regard to the budget deficit at Ysgol Calon Cymru, the Head of Schools did not regard this as insurmountable with appropriate leadership and support and he outlined how the authority would be more proactive in recruiting a new headteacher. The points made about making training more accessible to governors either through webcasts or locally held events were accepted. A full response to the Scrutiny recommendations was required by 18th August.
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RESOLVED |
Reason for decision |
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1. That the proposal in section 5.4 regarding the licensing of deficit budget positions for 2019/20 for the following schools is approved and recommended actions (Appendix A) are agreed.
Churchstoke C P Llanbister C P Llanfechain C in W Llangedwyn C in W Maesyrhandir C P Ysgol Bro Cynllaith Llanidloes High Brynllywarch Hall Ysgol Meifod
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To comply with the Authority’s scheme for the financing of schools |
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2. That the proposal in section 5.5 regarding the unlicensed deficit budget positions for 2019/20 for the following schools is approved and recommended actions (Appendix A) are agreed.
Brynhafern C P Carreghofa C P Llanbedr C in W Llandrindod Wells C P Cefnllys Llanerfyl C in W Llansantffraid C in W Presteigne C P Rhayader C in W St Michael’s C in W Ysgol Gymraeg Dyffryn Y Glowyr Ysgol y Bannau Brecon High Ysgol Maesydderwen Crickhowell High Ysgol Bro Hyddgen Welshpool High Ysgol Calon Cymru Ysgol Cedewain
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To comply with the Authority’s scheme for the financing of schools |
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3. That the Portfolio Holder for Education has the delegated decision on whether to apply clawback as mentioned in paragraph 4.2 of the report, pending reasons for the surplus being in excess of the position submitted to cabinet in June 18.
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To comply with the Authority’s scheme for the financing of schools |
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4. That all schools that are potentially subject to clawback for 2019/20 as set out in paragraph 4.3 have their budgets re-assessed after spending plans have been submitted by the 5th July 2019 and a further report brought back to Cabinet during the Autumn Term 2019.
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To comply with the Authority’s scheme for the financing of schools |
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5. Existing Loans are monitored. |
To comply with the Authority’s scheme for the financing of schools |
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6. All actions recommended in Appendix A for the schools that are non-compliant on submitting budgets as stated in 1.7 are approved.
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To comply with the Authority’s scheme for the financing of schools |
County Councillors Aled Davies and James Evans returned to the meeting.
Supporting documents:
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