Agenda item
Business Planning 2019-2024
Minutes:
Mr Munday noted the challenge of the financial position faced by the Council and emphasised the need to prioritise the improvement in children’s social care and the protection of vulnerable children in setting the budget for 2019/20 onwards.
The Chairman welcomed Mr Ben Thomas, Strategic Lead for Children and Young People and Mr Ian Harrison, Education and Skills Director who joined the meeting.
Mr Harrison referred to the decision of the School Forum and noted that the Schools Forum did not support either proposal 1 or proposal 3 at its meeting on 27th November, the Committee is therefore asked to delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Children and Young People to submit an application to the Secretary of State for a decision, following discussion with the Chairman.
Following a request from the Chairman, Mr Munday informed the Committee about the potential consequences of the above decision which includes potential direct cuts to areas such as SEN funding, likely in the area of top ups and direct funding provision in schools.
The Committee expressed concerns about the need for additional funding and the importance of quality of education in light of the potential risks.
Councillor Coakley Webb moved a motion which was seconded and agreed:
That the Chairman of the Committee writes to all three Barnet MPs with a copy of the Director’s letter calling on them to support the request for additional funding.
It was therefore RESOLVED:
1.
That the Committee considered the Corporate Plan
(Appendix A) and the Corporate Plan priorities in Appendix B for
referral to Policy and Resources Committee before adoption by Full
Council.
2.
That the Committee considered the MTFS proposals that
relate to the committee as set out in Appendix C after having
considered the initial equalities impacts and refer their comments
to Policy and Resources Committee for eventual decision by Full
Council.
3.
That the Committee approved the increases in fees
charges listed set out in Table 3 and refer them for noting to
Policy and Resources Committee.
4.
That the Committee considered the savings proposals for
the next financial year as set out in Appendix C subject to the
initial equalities impacts and refer them to Policy and Resources
Committee for consultation and eventual decision by Full
Council.
5.1 The Schools Forum did not support either proposal 1 or proposal 3, as set out in section 6.8.8 of this report, at its meeting on 27th November, the Committee therefore give delegated authority to the Strategic Director, Children and Young People to submit an application to the Secretary of State for a decision, following discussion with the Chairman of the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee.
5.2 That the Chairman of the Committee writes to all three Barnet MPs with a copy of the Director’s letter calling on them to support the request for additional funding.
6. That the Committee delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Children and Young People to enter negotiations with Cambridge Education to enable delivery of the Early Years Standards provision, including services currently provided through a Service Level Agreement with the Barnet Early Years Alliance, via the strategic partnership with Cambridge Education and to enter into contractual arrangements as appropriate, following discussion with the Chairman of the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee.
Votes were declared as follows in relation to Recommendations 1-4:
For |
7 |
Against |
4 |
Abstentions |
0 |
Recommendations 5.1, 5.2 and 6 were unanimously approved.
Supporting documents:
- Business Planning report for Children Education and Safeguarding Committee, item 9. PDF 247 KB
- Appendix A - Draft Corporate Plan, item 9. PDF 1 MB
- Appendix B Approach to Delivery, item 9. PDF 74 KB
- Appendix C (1) Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and savings proposals for Committee, item 9. PDF 246 KB
- Appendix C (2) Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and savings proposals for Committee, item 9. PDF 28 KB
- Addendum to CES report on business planning, item 9. PDF 95 KB
- Appendix 1- Letter from Barnet Headteachers on the issue of school funding, item 9. PDF 147 KB
- Appendix 2 - Barnet Primary and Secondary Headteacher Forums - Comments from schools on budgets issues, item 9. PDF 185 KB
- Appendix 3 - Key Points and Qs from Barnet Govervnors and LBB response - 21.11.18, item 9. PDF 353 KB
- Appendix 4 - letter for Barnet secondary heads to Damian Hinds on SEN funding, item 9. PDF 157 KB