Decisions

At the request of Schools Forum, the Department for Education/Secretary of State gave permission to establish a central Schools Block DSG expenditure budget of £1,000,000 to focus on two areas:-
- Access
- Safeguarding
The budget is provided to deliver learning environment improvements within Schools, Academies, Pupil Referral Units and Learning Centres and it is expected that a 10% contribution will be required towards any project based on the estimate provided. For the final round, this was increased to 15% to ensure the funding is fully utilised. It is intended that the funding will be allocated over 3 year period with a full review and progression report supplied to School Forum in July 2018.
Schools Forum delegated responsibility for administering the funds through the Learning Provision Organisation Board.
The Board Sub Group discussed each application on a case by case basis following recommendations from Construction Services and the Learning Provision Organisation Team. Approved bids were felt to meet the defined criteria of the Safeguarding and Access Fund and as such approved under these circumstances.

To approve the Safeguarding and Access capital allocation for the Seedlings Nursery to the value of £20,956.23, which was provisionally approved by the Learning Provision Organisation Board Sub Group on 6 March 2019.
As this is a Local Authority setting, the Local Authority will fund the 15% contribution towards the works (£3,698.16). This is to be funded through the Safeguarding Fund.

Decisions regarding travel arrangements can be made in a variety of ways and from a number of sources which could result in financial pressure on the service.

The appointment of a transport assessment officer would perform a number of functions to mitigate risks.

To appoint a transport assessment officer for an initial period of 12 months with a view to the post being made permanent and self funding as a result of the savings made.

The appointment of a Transport Assessment Officer will mitigate a lot of risks involved with decisions regarding travel arrangements.

The aim of the new role is to review existing and historical travel arrangements with a view to reducing the incidence of single use taxis.

The Officer will work with stakeholders to encourage the use of personal budgets and other travel assistance options.

The officer will provide a professional assessment and review of individual pupils with SEND's home to school transport arrangements

Recommendation of SEND pupils to undertake independent travel training as appropriate.

Assessment of individuals progress towards independent travel.

To appoint a Transport Assessment Officer for an initial period of 12 months with a view to the post being made permanent and self funding as a result of the savings made.