Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: June 10, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 11.1 The Assistant Director or Commissioning introduced the report which sought approval for Sheffield City Council to be the accountable body to receive the grant funding of £1.054m via an MOU from the DfE and passport all responsibility for delivery of the programme with the associated funding to Learn Shefield for the duration of the extension period to August 2026.     11.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Education, Children and Families Policy Committee:-   a.    Accept the DfE grant for SAFE provision of £1.054m for 25/26. b.    To become the accountable body to accept the grant of £1.054m from DfE and third-party liabilities on behalf of Learn Sheffield. c.     To agree a grant payment of up to the total value of the £1.054m grant to Learn Sheffield.     11.3 Reasons for Decision     11.3.1 If the Council accepts the DfE grant for this work and passports it to Learn Sheffield, we successfully secure this valuable resource for the city, but build more flexibility in to the programme, including allowing the programme to run for the full academic year 25/26 rather than having to end in March 2026.     11.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     11.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Learn Sheffield continue to directly receive the funding from DfE via a section 14 agreement The funding will have to have been committed and spent by end March 2026, restricting any opportunities to revise the programme offer and limiting the time remaining to spend the funding. The programme will continue across the summer term in other areas where funding is devolved by Section 31 but would have to cease at Easter in Sheffield. 5.2.     11.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Sheffield City Council receive the funding from DfE for the period 2025/26 via a section 31 agreement and passport the funding to Learn Sheffield to continue to deliver the programme. This is the preferred option as it provides greater flexibility on spending the grant, not least because it means the deadline for spending the grant is the end of the academic year rather than the end of the financial year, which better suits a school-based programme.