Issue - meetings

A: RETENTION OF FUNDING FOR EDUCATION FUNCTIONS 26-27

B: DE-DELEGATION OF FUNDING FROM MAINTAINED SCHOOLS 26-27

To consider a report from Vanessa Eddey, Team Manager – Schools, Finance & Support, Commissioning and Partnerships, People - Children Directorate

For Approval

Forum was asked to consider proposals for the de-delegation of funding from maintained schools and the retention of funding for education functions . this follows a consultation that had been undertaken with all maintained schools

De-delegation of Funding
The discussion began with the three proposed areas for de-delegation: trade union facilities, termination of employment costs, and the free school meals eligibility checking service. Officers reported that responses showed strong support for termination of employment costs and free school meals checking, but the trade union facilities proposal attracted mixed views, particularly within the secondary phase where opinions were evenly split.

Members explored the scope of the trade union facilities scheme, which currently covers the release of designated representatives for casework and training. Concerns were raised about the lack of clarity on eligibility for reimbursement and the potential inequity where long-term secondments are funded through the scheme.

Several members questioned whether unions should bear the cost of extended secondments rather than schools. There was broad agreement that clearer guidance is needed, and suggestions were made to introduce a cap on claims, with a limit of 15 days per representative per year considered reasonable to ensure the scheme supports short-term release rather than permanent arrangements.

 Officers undertook to review the scheme and provide updated guidance. It was agreed that the Chair would be delegated authority to confirm the views of forum for trade union facilities once this clarification has been provided.

In relation to free school meals, members asked whether eligibility checking would remain necessary in future. Officers confirmed that current arrangements will continue but advised that the Council is exploring the potential for automatic enrolment in the longer term. This would require investment and system changes, and the earliest possible implementation would be September 2026. Officers undertook to bring updates on this work to future meetings.

Following the discussion, maintained members of forum voted foreach proposition by phase. For the avoidance of doubt all outcomes were unanimous

Primary Results

·        Free School Meals Eligibility Checking: For

·        Termination of Employment Costs: For

·        Trade Union Facilities: For

Secondary Results

·        Free School Meals Eligibility Checking: For

·        Termination of Employment Costs: Against

·        Trade Union Facilities: Against

Retention of Funding for Education Functions
The Forum then considered the proposal to retain funding for education functions for maintained schools in 2026–27 to fund the school improvement service Offer for maintained schools.

Officers confirmed that consultation responses indicated strong support for this approach,

Maintained Members of Forum Unanimously Approved the Retention