To review the new arrangements for trade union facilities within schools and to propose a revised amount per pupil for de-delegation to apply from April 2018, subject to consultation with schools and a final decision by the Schools Forum in January 2018.

The HR services manager introduced the report. She highlighted the non-statutory advice published by the DfE in January 2014, after which a review of trade union facilities was undertaken. That review concluded that facility time payment would be standardised from September 2017 for all teaching trade union representatives. The trade union representatives were no longer employed by the local authority and were instead treated as self-employed.

The importance of transparency and efficient use of resources was noted. There was variation in the cost per pupil between local authorities which was in part due to economies of scale for larger authorities and difference in levels of service provided.

Current arrangements in Herefordshire comprised de-delegation for maintained primary schools and a service level agreement available for all other schools. The number of schools buying in to the SLA had been steadily falling.

The local authority proposed to reduce the cost per pupil from £3.50 to £2.90 for 2018/19. This would be included in consultation with schools after October half term. The budget working group would continue to examine ways to reduce the rate further for 2019/20 to include consideration of alternative models such as offering a basic service with specific additional work charged at a flat rate as needed.

The trade union representatives on the schools forum did not vote on the recommendations.

Resolved that:

(a)   schools forum provided its views on a de-delegated amount of £2.90 per pupil, effective from 1 April 2018, being formed on the basis of consultation with schools; and

(b)   the Budget Working Group be asked to provide a further report by June 2018 on the potential for a further reduction in 2019/20 on the cost per pupil.