Decision details

Bob Stott, Director for Education, Schools and Care, presented an update to the Committee on the outcomes of the White Paper.

The Committee was advised that meetings were attended across Lancashire to discuss the outcomes of the White Paper which included Primary Heads in Lancashire (PHiL), Lancashire Association of Secondary School Heads (LASSH), the Sounding Board Group and the Diocesan Liaison Group.  It was highlighted to members that one of the changes around the introduction of a national funding formula was of great significance.  This change would entail schools to be funded directly by 2018-19 and it was reported that local authorities would only have responsibility for the high needs funding for special educational needs and alternative provision.

Members were informed that there were to be a number of conferences held in the autumn term to further discuss the implications around the proposed national schools funding formula.  In addition, these conferences would discuss the proposal on academies and Multi Academy Trusts (MATs).  It was reported that MATs were the future model as opposed to the Single Academy Trusts (SATs) which form the majority of the academy schools currently.

It was confirmed that bite size briefings on the funding will take place when information has been made available.

Members of the Committee were invited to comment and raise questions and a summary of the discussion is set out below:

·  Members queried the free school option and were advised that the view was that free schools would potentially be new schools only.  In addition, members were assured that although there were only a few free schools currently in Lancashire, they do engage with the local authority and are formally consulted on the opening of any new free schools.

·  It was confirmed that cross boundaries MATs were already in place.

·  Members raised concerns around the local authorities' responsibilities if the national funding formula was to go ahead and its future role with schools.

·  It was suggested that the chair and deputy chair would be invited to attend the conferences in the autumn and that attendance would be open to other members of the Committee.

Resolved: That

  i.  That the report be noted.

  ii.  The Committee's concerns and comments be noted.

  iii.  A special meeting or work shop of the Education Scrutiny Committee could be convened at the end of October if further information became available.

  iv.  Dates of the upcoming conferences in the autumn be circulated to committee members.