For better or for worse, but without choice
Councillors discussed changes to how local schools are funded.
Currently the council uses 37 different factors to calculate how much money is allocated to schools, but the Government want to reduce this to no more than 11.
This will mean some schools will receive more money next year and some will receive less.
Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Steve Curran said,
“The new arrangements will mean some schools will suffer, but the Government have left us with no other choice
“Of course, we are doing our best to minimise any negative impact on local schools’ budgets, and we are actively working to get the best possible outcome from what is a very difficult situation.”
The Government have said that no school will gain or lose more than 1.5 per cent (per pupil) of funding as a result of the new formula, for the next two financial years.
Schools have been asked their views on the new arrangements for Hounslow, which are being considered by the Schools Forum, which represents local schools, before a proposal is sent to the Government at the end of the month.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to deliver better joined-up services as we can bring together public health protection and improvement with our own leisure and recreation, housing and regulatory services to improve the well-being of all our residents.”
Brent Council’s Executive committee will consider a report on 15 October on the proposal to share a Director of Public Health.
Brent Council’s Director of Adult Social Services, Alison Elliott, said:
“We are proposing a new approach to public health and, if this is agreed, we will work with Hounslow to appoint a Director of Public Health who can invigorate health improvement, working across the council and with our partners including the major hospitals, GP commissioners and the voluntary sector in Brent.
“A joint Director of Public Health could bring the best from both boroughs together, have more influence with stakeholders and help the whole council embrace the opportunities provided by the public health transfer.”
Both councils have existing public health teams, but the new Director will deliver a greater strategic overview for both councils, working closely with each borough’s Health and Wellbeing Board and senior management teams to adopt a sensible, logical and holistic approach to public health.
The recruitment process will begin in mid-October, subject to approval by both councils. For more information on the proposal, click here.
October 10, 2012