To receive apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Board.

It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Conservative Group, the membership of the Board had been amended to include Councillor Lewis (B) in place of Councillor Sykes.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 10 October 2018.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 10 October 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Assistant Director – Education, Learning and Skills to present the consultation document in relation to the Higher Needs Budget and to give an update on the consultation process.

The Executive Lead for Children’s Services to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board to consider any comments and/or recommendations that it wishes to make.

The Assistant Director – Education, Learning and Skills gave a presentation on the current consultation on the proposals put forward by the Schools Forum to meet the challenges posed by a deficit in the Higher Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant.  The proposals included work to change the factors contributing to the demand on, and costs to, the Higher Needs Block as well as a virement application to deal with the deficit position.

The Chairman of the Schools Forum, along with two secondary headteachers, attended the meeting to make representations and to answer the Board’s questions.

Resolved:  The Board notes the range of views expressed during the meeting.  However, in the absence of alternative proposals and the continued pressure on the Council’s revenue budget, the Board believes that the proposals put forward by the Schools Forum in relation the Higher Needs Budget should be supported.

The Board would wish that the Council and its partners continue to work together to address the wider demographic issues in Torbay which in turn create pressures within schools.

The Board requests that further investigation be carried out to test the thresholds for entry into higher needs provision.

(Note:  Prior to consideration of the item in Minute 37, Councillors Bent and Bye declared non-pecuniary interests as Governors of Spires Academy, Torquay.)

The Head of Finance to present his report setting out the Quarter 2 budget position for the Revenue and Capital Budget.

The Elected Mayor and his Executive to answer questions.

The Board to determine whether to make any comments and/or recommendations to the Council.

The Board noted the Budget Monitoring Report for Quarter 2 of the 2018/2019 financial year.