Agenda item

c               

Questions on Cabinet Minutes

Council were requested to note the minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on the undermentioned dates and to receive any questions on any items within the minutes from members of the Council who were not members of the Cabinet, and receive responses from Cabinet members. The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 25 January 2021 and 22 February 2021 were submitted.

Members raised the following questions:

1.    Councillor H Gloster asked the following question in relation to Page 85 – Cabinet 14/12/20 – Schools National Funding Formula

“With all pupils returning to schools from 8th March, many schools are already reporting significant budget shortfalls. Please can the Cabinet Member responsible explain what is the situation faced by our local schools and how we will ensure they are not adversely impacted financially due to Covid-19?”

Councillor Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Education, responded that Schools/Academies had continued to receive all core funding and grant payments during 2020-21.

There had been instances where schools had faced additional costs as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and were not able to cover these from their existing resources. Financial assistance was available to schools where maintained schools were unable to meet these additional costs for Free School Meals, premises and cleaning costs.

Mainstream schools would also receive additional funding of £80 for each pupil from reception to year 11 inclusive through the catch-up premium for the 2020-21 academic year. This was for specific activities to support pupils in catching up for lost teaching, in line with the curriculum expectations for the next academic year.

There were currently 2 maintained schools forecasting a deficit at the end of the 2020-21 financial year. However, this could change once the final outturn for the 2020-21 financial year had been agreed.

A budget review had suggested that there were a small number of other maintained schools who may have a budget deficit for 2021-22.  Again, this would not be confirmed until the final outturn was established and the 2021-22 budget had been finalised. The indications were that this was mainly due to reducing pupil numbers or high staff numbers and not as a result of Covid 19.

2.    Councillor Williamson asked the following question in relation to Page 94 – Cabinet 21/01/21 – Item 9 – Scrutiny Referral – Council Motion – Ban on fast food and energy drink advertising

“I was glad to see that Cabinet agreed to allow Health Scrutiny Committee to progress actions internally and that it was agreed to escalate the aspirations of the motion for a ban to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Greater Manchester Mayor externally.

Can the relevant Cabinet Member please tell me whether this matter has now been tabled at a meeting for discussion by members of the GMCA, and if this has not yet happened whether we know the timescale by which we expect this to happen?

Councillor Chauhan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, responded that it was currently being actioned and an update would be provided to the Health Scrutiny Committee and Councillor Williamson.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 25 January 2021 and 22 February 2021 be noted.

2.         The questions and responses provided be noted.