Agenda item

Sandwell Residential Education Centres: Charges for the period 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2023

To consider term-time charges for Sandwell Residential Education Centres for the period 1 August 2022 - 31 July 2023.

 

Minutes:

Approval was sought to authorise the Director of Children and Education to implement term-time charges for Sandwell Residential Education Centres for the period 1 August 2022 - 31 July 2023.

 

The proposed charges would make the centres accessible to as many Sandwell children and school groups as possible, whilst generating sufficient income to provide a high-quality service at zero revenue cost to the Council.

 

In response to questions raised by the Chair of Children Services and Education, the Cabinet Member for Children and Education stated that in a typical year, there were more than 90 Sandwell schools that used the Centres. 102 Sandwell schools had used the service in the last 3 years. This did not include programmes such as Sandwell Young Carers, The Albion Foundation, and Sandwell Virtual School (LACE) in the figures.

 

Furthermore, 204 different non-Sandwell schools had visited in the last 3 years. Each September, Sandwell schools were given the first opportunity to reserve their preferred dates in the centres for the following school year before opening out to non-Sandwell schools.

 

It was also confirmed that all Sandwell children had a reduced fee:

 

·      20% reduction for children at Sandwell academy schools.

·      30% reduction for children at maintained schools. This equated to a subsidy of £74 to £111 per pupil per week.

·      Looked After Children from Sandwell visiting during term time come free of charge.

·      Where possible a further reduction for larger groups that are able to visit was applied. This comes, in part, by passing on an operational cost saving when a greater number of children visit.

 

Currently, no Home Educated pupils used the centres. However, two initiatives were upcoming to support this. Sandwell would look to work with established groups for this and would look at ways of engaging Home Educated children. The need for additional pastoral staffing would need to be considered if children visit overnight without an established relationship with group leaders in place.

 

Reason for Decision

The intention was to have centres occupied for as much of the school year as possible, increasing attendance and positive outcomes for Sandwell children, and generating income year-round.

 

The proposed charges were an increase of 2.4% on 2021-22 charges, in line with the consumer price index as of July 2021, rounded to the nearest pound.

 

An above-inflation increase of £10 during two months in high season at the Frank Chapman Centre was proposed, to meet additional costs when demand was high.

 

The centres were open to Sandwell maintained schools, Sandwell academy schools, and non-Sandwell schools and groups. The business plan aimed to retain Sandwell children participation of 15 000 term-time bed nights, or 4 750 residential pupil visits, per year. The proportion of non-Sandwell schools using the centres had risen in recent years, bringing in more income; but there was capacity to accommodate more Sandwell schools and children.

 

 

Sandwell Looked After Children would continue to be able to attend the centres free of charge with their schools during term-time.

 

The proposed new charges would be effective from 1 August 2022.

 

Alternative Options Considered

Increasing charges above inflation risked less uptake of places, reduced overall income, and poorer social value. Keeping charges at 2021-22 levels risks a shortfall in income and difficulties in balancing the budget when expenditure would rise with inflation.

 

Agreed that the Director Children and Education be authorised to implement term-time charges for Sandwell Residential Education Centres for the

period 1 August 2022 - 31 July 2023 as shown in Appendix 2 attached.

 

Supporting documents: