1 Hampshire County Council Western Area Governors' Forum Date: Thursday 14 February 2019 Time: 7.05 – 9.15Pm Location: Fo
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Hampshire County Council Western Area Governors’ Forum Date: Thursday 14 February 2019 Time: 7.05 – 9.15pm Location: Foxhills Junior School Present: Derek Tipp Bartley Junior School Deborah Martin Broughton Primary & Test Valley Schools Sue Mussell Cherbourg Primary School Katy Toms Dever Valley Federation Rob Gardner Fair Oak Infant & Junior Schools Ann Sevier Fordingbridge Junior & Infant School Federation Anne Marie Datlen Foxhills Junior School Ann Arscott Foxhills Junior School Dave Keating Fryern Federation David Shields Grateley Primary School Chris Conway Manor CE Infant School Amanda Tanner Milford on Sea Primary School Christa Lippold New Milton Junior School Kevin O’Brien Noadswood School Chris Mason Norwood Primary School Liz Wagner Romsey Abbey CE Primary School David Wright (Chair) Sun Hill Infant School Ian Wollam Swanmore Primary School Peter Higgs Wallop Primary School Penny Catchpole Westgate School In Attendance: Andy Payne Senior Auditor, Hampshire County Council Bob West Hampshire Governor Services Julia Burton Hampshire Governor Services, LA Clerk Apologies for absence Julie Holland Braishfield Primary School Louise Payne Broughton Primary School Theresa Turner Dever Valley Federation Amy Ingram Hiltingbury Infant School Janet Moyles New Milton Infant School Andrew Sutton Oakfield Primary School Chris Gayler Osbourne School Peter Troup South Baddesley Primary Julie Amies South Wonston Primary School Alan Bassil West Meon Primary School 1 Cllr Martin Tod Westgate School Tony Ewer Wherwell Primary School Debbie Sawyer Wildground Federation 1. Apologies for absence and Welcome The meeting opened at 7.05pm. David Wright (Chair) welcomed everyone. Apologies for absence were received, noted and accepted. 2. Presentation: Fraud Awareness – Andy Payne, Senior Auditor Andy Payne, Senior Auditor of Hampshire County Council (HCC) was welcomed to the meeting. Andy gave a comprehensive presentation to Governors, outlining Fraud Awareness and the measures in place to prevent and act on fraudulent practice. The key points of the presentation covered: Who we are – contact details for the Audit Team. Definitions – summarising details of all categories of fraud. Reference to the Fraud Act 2006. Scale – estimated fraud costs to local authorities total approximately £2.1billion per year. The presentation also gave reference to the Local Governor Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy 2016-2019. Impact – highlighting that fraud against local authorities is not a victimless crime and should never be underestimated. There are high costs involved with any investigation as well as any subsequent court cases. Fraud happens when – summarising when and how fraudulent practice can occur and the key reasons: - Motivation - Justification - Opportunity Hampshire County Council works in partnership with other local authorities in fraud prevention. The presentation also summarised the breakdown of risk along with the common characteristics, potential fraud risks in schools together with how fraud is discovered. Andy Payne also shared examples of recent cases that had been dealt with by the courts. 2 A number of issues have been identified from thematic reviews, particularly in relation to: Fraud awareness Security of cash and assets Governors discussed key areas of recognition and prevention of fraud in schools, particularly in relation to use of contractors. Governors also discussed audits and how having regular practice in place helps in the prevention of false accounting and potential fraud. HCC Audit Team have no powers over Academies although it was noted that Academies have strict audit controls in place. Questions: A Governor asked about CCTV and how long this can be used in evidence? There is no set time, so long as it is proportional and reasonable. There were no further questions and Andy Payne was thanked for his informative presentation. The presentation is included in these minutes below. Fraud Awareness Training - School Governors (less notes).pptx 3. Agreement of Minutes of last meeting 25 September 2018 and matters arising The minutes of the last meeting held on 25 September 2018 had been shared with Governors in advance. Subject to one small typographical error (item 5, para.2 guess should read guest), they were agreed as a correct record and approved. The minutes are published on the Hampshire Governor Services website http://www3.hants.gov.uk/education/governors/education-governors- intranet/governors-rephampgovs/governors-rephampgovs- hgrg/governors-rephampgovs-hgrg-mins.htm Matters arising Service Review Group - one representative still required. Governors were encouraged to put their name forward. Forum Papers – It was generally agreed that circulation of the Forum papers and minutes has improved although it was noted that some Governors are still not receiving them. Governors were reminded to check that the Forum Representative details are correctly entered into Clerks’ Write Access (CWA) by the Clerk to Governors. 3 Letters to MPs – David Wright had received no response from HCC – he will chase this and report to the next Forum meeting. 4 4. Schools’ Forum Representatives elections Governors were invited to elect the Schools’ Forum Maintained Primary School Representative. Six candidates had put themselves forward for election and two candidates were in attendance at the meeting. Ballot papers were issued and Governors were asked to vote for one candidate only. Votes were cast and collected. The result will be confirmed after this meeting. 5. Open Forum Schools in deficit budgets – how many schools are currently in deficit budget? There are currently 33/7% maintained schools in deficit, although the figure for Secondary Schools and Academies is considerable higher. It was noted that as a cumulative deficit, after a 3-year deficit period, the local authority will take it back. It was also noted that HCC receives the lowest payment per child. Governors discussed the impact this has on the quality of teaching and the curriculum. There were no further matters raised under Open Forum. 6. Communication with Governors and Governing Bodies Bob West fed back to Governors on the communication channels between Governor Services and Governors/Governing Bodies. This item was raised at the last meeting and is a follow up to previous feedback from Governors on communication. Governor Services circulate regular communications as follows: Fortnightly advice and support update. Fortnightly training and e-learning update. Updates to any changes in policies or legislation. Termly Clerks’ and Governors’ newsletters. Half-yearly Hampshire Governor magazine which includes in- depth articles and information. Directory of training including prices. 5 Hampshire Schools’ Communications – sent to schools but also available on the Hampshire Governor Services website. Periodic evaluations of service including two Quality of Service Questionnaires. Additional periodical changes/updates (eg improvements to online experience). Forum and other groups via their representatives. All the above communications are available on the Hampshire Governor Services website. https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/governors Governors confirmed that the service has certainly improved and that responses from Governor Services are always prompt and helpful. It was commented that some links are only available on the intranet and Bob West will look into this. Bob West outlined the new portal process being introduced for Governors and Clerks which is expected to go live in April 2019. This will provide access to all bought-in services’ information. 7. Expectations of Clerks’ responsibilities This item was also raised at the last meeting and is a follow up to previous feedback from Governors on clerks’ responsibilities and delivery of service, particularly in relation to timescales for sharing agendas and minutes. Bob West summarised that all clerks’ responsibilities are outlined in the Clerks’ Competency Framework and that all clerks are expected to adhere to the requirements. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upl oads/attachment_data/file/609971/Clerking_competency_framework.pdf 8. Reports from Representatives County Governor Forum (CGF) David Wright fed back on the items of discussion at County Governor Forum: Update on EHCPs – there has been a very high volume. A new special school is to be opened in 2021. CGF discussed the internal audit report. CGF listened to a presentation on the Affordable Schools Project. http://documents.hants.gov.uk/governors/AffordableSchoolsPres entation.pptx 6 Schools’ Forum Peter Higgs fed back on items of discussion at Schools’ Forum: Budget 2019-2020 across the four main blocks (Early Years, Schools, High Needs and Central School Services) is £953,431 - The High Needs DSG allocation for 2019-20 has increased by £6.6m. - The movement between blocks is 0.5%(£3.7m) transfer of funding from the Schools’ block to the High Needs’ block. - There are no changes planned for the Early Years funding formula for 2019-20. Budget shares will be notified to schools by the end of February 2019. A report by Virtual School Headteacher provided an overview of the Looked After Child (LAC) Pupil Premium, also referred to as Pupil Premium Plus, together with the role of the Virtual School Headteacher in relation to this grant and the way it is being used to improve educational progress and outcomes of Hampshire’s Children in Care. Specialist Teacher Advisory Service (STAs) review.