Agenda and minutes

There were no advanced apologies for absence received.

The Forum is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on X

The minutes of the last meeting held on 12 March 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

Jeanne Pratt, Learning and Schools

The Forum received a report providing an overview of the current position of the EBSA-LM.

It was highlighted from the report that recruitment has been temporarily halted considering the current and evolving situation around Covid-19. Within the report, two options were provided on the matter of funding; the Forum unanimously agreed in favour of Option 2:

·         We ask schools for 2 terms of funding from the 2020/21 academic year and a further 1 year of funding from the 21/22 academic year, so that the positions would run from September 2020 until March 2020.

RESOLVED:

(I)            The Schools Forum agreed to proceed with Option 2 as outlined in the report.

Carole Smith, Resources and Digital

The Forum received a report providing information of the implications of implementing the February 2019 amendment to Part 4 of the Green Book introducing guidance on the employment of term time only employees.

Within the report, a summary of recent caselaw was provided on the case of a term-time only employee claiming they must receive the statutory minimum holidays in accordance with the Working Time Regulations. It was noted that currently, term-time only employees are paid for 39 weeks work plus a pro rata of their holiday entitlement which is equated over 12 months.

The Forum were advised that it is unclear whether the case will progress to the Supreme Court but that the Council must make a provision based on the case outcome in their 2019/20 final accounts. A discussion also took place on the matter with comments raised that this legislation would negatively impact special schools; it was highlighted that Gibside School will be particularly affected due to the number of teaching assistants it employs.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Forum noted the contents of the report.

(ii)           Further information would be brought to Schools Forum when the situation crystallises/

Carole Smith advised the Forum of a proposal to release reserved funding to early years providers who have remained open during the Covid-19 crisis. The Forum noted that a report will be drafted on the matter and circulated for a decision in due course via e-mail.

It was asked whether early years providers were entitled to support from central government; it was noted that this is not possible based on recent guidance.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Forum noted the other business and agreed to receive a report on the matter for approval via e-mail in due course.

The next meeting is scheduled for 9 July 2020 at 2pm.