Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Meenaghan, Justin Innes and Georgina Mulhall.

Councillors Ford and Groves were in attendance as deputy members.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Councillor Branson declared an interest as the Chair of Governors at Crookhorn College.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations.

No deputations were received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman made no announcements.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services with an update on school funding.

The Chairman agreed to take Agenda Items 6 and 7 together.

The Panel received presentations on the structure of school funding and the implications from the recent national budget announcements. It was noted that school funding was heavily regulated and predominantly grant based. The funding pressures facing the education sector were acknowledged as were the demographic challenges with increasing numbers of pupils with Education, Health and Care plans and more complex individual needs.

There was discussion around historic funding allocations per pupil and the reasoning behind the Hampshire allocation. Given the growing complexity of the school population and noting areas of deprivation across the county, Members felt that the allocation level was not necessarily justified. It was noted that lobbying and briefing MP’s on the issue would continue and that the County Council would continue to actively participate in the work of the f40 group aspiring to improve the National Funding Formulae to ensure the fair distribution of funding and enabling flexibility in how funding was utilised.

In response to Members’ question, it was confirmed that:

·         The School Growth Fund was available for both academies and maintained schools.

·         Schools sourced their own education catering and education psychology services. Members discussed the cost to schools of purchasing central licences (such as for IT services) and the potential benefits of centralising to reduce the cost via economies of scale.

RESOLVED:

That the Education Advisory Panel notes the presentations for both Agenda Item 6 and Agenda Item 7.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services.

The Panel received a presentation providing an overview of educational engagement workstreams, improving school attendance and the work of the Inclusion and Education Engagement Board.

Members noted the seven workstreams which had been established to respond to the countywide challenges of children not accessing full-time education and the safeguarding risks of children not attending school. The Panel noted the success of the ‘in person’ hub events which had supported schools and headteachers to disseminate guidance and share best practice.

In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that:

·         Work exploring suspensions in schools was ongoing including the ‘team around the school’ holistic approach and a ‘fit for purpose’ curriculum. Robust conversations with senior school leaders were continuing.

·         Government lobbying regarding the implementation of a register for electively home educated children was ongoing.

·         The team were working closely with Public Health and with Hampshire Constabulary regarding their role in managing children’s attendance.

RESOLVED:

That the Education Advisory Panel note the presentation.