Issue - meetings

Appendix 2 to the report is exempt from publication as it contains commercially confidential information (exempt under paragraph 3, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)).

The Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement introduced the Barking and Dagenham School Improvement Partnership (BDSIP) Business Plan for 2021-24.

The Business Plan set out BDSIP’s vision, values, and social and commercial ambitions for the coming years, which included improving pupil outcomes year-on-year and generating an annual financial surplus of 5%,that would be re-invested in new service offers to schools.  The Cabinet Member advised that while all 43 Local Authority schools and 13 Academy schools had continued to be Members of the BDSIP, the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted on the business, an example being a significant drop in the number of schools purchasing careers and work experience services in 2020/21.  However, BDSIP had adapted well to mitigate the negative impact and had progressed several new opportunities, such as developing an online delivery model for Continued Professional Development.

It was noted that the uncertainty surrounding the long-term impact of the pandemic meant that the Business Plan only included financial performance forecasts for the 2021/22 financial year.  The Cabinet Member was nonetheless reassured that BDSIP remained on a sound financial footing via the monitoring and challenge mechanisms in place via the Council’s Shareholder Panel.

Members discussed other potential opportunities for the BDSIP to expand its clientele and offer to schools, such as GDPR services and the emerging economies in the Borough. 

Cabinet resolved to endorse the BDSIP Business Plan 2021-2024 as set out in the appendices to the report.