Terms of Reference

HAYDOCK HIGH SCHOOL FINANCE, PREMISES AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

The finance committee has a general role in advising the Headteacher on matters relating to the finances of the school and is required to abide by the requirements and guidelines of the Local Authority and the DfE.

Members: At least 4 governors (not including Headteacher)

Quorum: 3 governors

Chair: To be appointed by the committee

Clerk: To be appointed by the committee

Frequency: 3 meetings per academic year

Terms of reference:

 

Policy and Procedure:

• Seek assurance from the school management that the full Governing Body (FGB) has all necessary Finance, Human Resources and Premises related policies to meet statutory and local requirements.
• Where delegation has been agreed by the FGB, approve and review the effectiveness of statutory policies, plans and procedures relating to Finance, Human Resources and Premises related matters:

o   Capability Policy

o   Charging and Remissions Policy

o   Data Protection Policy

o   Equality Scheme

o   Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

o   Health and Safety Policy

o   Maternity Policy

o   Scheme for Paying Governors’ Allowances

 

• Where delegation has been agreed by the FGB, approve and review the effectiveness of non-statutory policies, plans and procedures relating to Finance, Human Resources and Premises related matters:

o   Asset Management Plan

o   Leave of Absence Policy

o   Lettings Policy and Procedure

• Where requested by the FGB, recommend for approval following consideration of the effectiveness, Finance, Human Resources and Premises related Local Authority policies.
• Review annually the Internal Financial Regulations and Financial Procedures Manual of the school and recommend them for approval by the FGB.
• Make recommendations to the FGB on appropriate levels of delegation to be included in the Internal Financial Regulations for the Headteacher and Finance, Personnel and Premises Committee.

 Strategic Financial Planning:

• Seek assurance from the school management that financial planning maximises achievement for all students through the provision of an outstanding curriculum and consistently high standards of teaching and learning.
• Approve and adopt a three year budget plan taking into account the agreed priorities of the School Improvement Plan and Asset Management Plan.
• Approve and adopt detailed annual revenue and capital budget plans taking into account the agreed priorities of the School Improvement Plan and Asset Management Plan for recommendation to the FGB.
• Seek assurance annually from the school management that the school continues to meet the Schools Financial Value Standards.

 Financial Monitoring:

• Monitor termly the revenue budget position statement against the annual budget plan and report the situation to the FGB.
• Monitor at least annually the capital budget position statement and report the situation to the FGB.
• Subject to agreed levels of delegation set out in the Internal Financial Regulations, approve any budgetary adjustments that will from time to time be necessary in response to the evolving needs of the school.
• Make recommendations to the FGB on the appropriateness, or otherwise, of virements to be made outside of the Committee’s delegated powers.
• Subject to agreed levels of delegation set out in the Internal Financial Regulations, award tenders completed by/on behalf of the school.
• Make recommendations to the FGB on the appropriateness, or otherwise, of tenders to be awarded outside of the Committee’s delegated powers.
• Approve after due consideration of costs and quality issues, the continuation (or cessation) of contracts, including Local Authority sourced services.
• Review appropriate financial benchmarking data, in order to compare the school’s financial performance with similar schools.

 Non-public Funds:

• Approve appropriate arrangements for an independent examination of non-public funds.
• Receive and respond to the report from the independent examination of the annual accounts.
• Approve annual accounts of non-public funds and present to the FGB for approval.

 Personnel:

• Undertake powers delegated by the FGB in respect of the Pay Policy.
• In consultation with the Headteacher, agree and review the staffing structure of the school.
• Where delegated by the FGB and not delegated to the Headteacher, approve decisions relating to statutory and discretionary elements of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document, having regard to employment legislation, equal pay and the school’s policy on equality.
• To review teacher salaries, including those on the leadership spine each year in line with the Governing Body’s adopted Appraisal Policy; taking recommendations from the Headteacher with regard to teacher (including Associate and Assistant Headteacher) pay progression.
• To decide, if, and how many spinal points should be awarded to individuals in the course of one pay review.
• To ensure that the decisions will be communicated to each member of staff by the Headteacher, in writing and a copy sent to Human Resources.
• To ensure that all pay decisions are made within the remit of the School Teacher’s Pay and Conditions Document.
• To inform the Finance, Personnel and Premises Committee of awards of incremental progression.
• Deal with grievances as laid out in the Local Authority’s Grievance Procedure.
• Deal with disciplinary matters as laid out in the Local Authority’s Disciplinary Rules and Procedure.
• Deal with all dismissals as laid out in the appropriate Local Authority’s procedures.
• Oversee the process leading to staff reductions.
• Establish appropriate differentials/relatives of all staff within the school.
• Be aware of national conditions of service for support staff and to approve any pay awards or conditions of service changes accordingly.

 Premises and Health and Safety:

• Seek assurance from the school management that the school meets all statutory and local requirements for health and safety.
• Taking account of the Asset Management Plan and any guidance provided by the Local Authority, approve priorities for capital expenditure which will ensure the safety and security of the premises as far as is reasonably practicable so to do, that the building is fit for the education of students and to the provision of a supportive workplace for staff.
• Taking account of the Asset Management Plan and any guidance provided by the Local Authority, approve a rolling programme of repairs and maintenance that fall within the responsibility of the school.
• Together with other appropriate committees of the Governing Body, seek assurance from the school management that the school meets requirements for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
• Consider the findings of the termly site inspection and seek assurance from the school management that any required remedial action is taken in an efficient and effective manner.
• Consider the annual analysis of accidents and incidents and seek assurance from the school management that procedures and practices have been amended in response to reactive monitoring.

Disqualification – none - however when the pay and conditions of a school employee are being discussed all school employees should be asked to withdraw (excepting the Headteacher/Clerk unless it is his/her conditions being discussed).

Committee Membership

Clerk: Miss D. Harrison (School Business Manager)