Decision details

To remove schools from the Councils portfolio of insurances and arrange separate cover under a bespoke Schools Insurance package provided by Zurich Municipal.

That the Executive Director of Resources:

1. Approves the direct award of the Schools Insurance contract to Zurich Municipal; and

2. Approves the release of schools from the liability insurance contract with Maven in accordance with its terms.

This option provides all the required insurances to meet school needs including buildings, contents, liability, fidelity guarantee and school journey insurances.

The rate for the selected option will be fixed for 3 years. The alternative was subject to change. This option will provide financial certainty for schools over the next 3 years in relation to insurance costs.

The Schools Forum consulted schools on the available options and the binding decision was for all schools to opt in to the Zurich Municipal offer.

There is a net aggregate saving to schools in 2022-23 compared to 2021-22 of circa £360,000.

There are no other alternatives which provide cover on a per pupil rate available in the Insurance Market.

The only other per pupil offer is provided by the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) which is an alternative to insurance provided by the DfE.

The option to join the RPA or accept the Zurich Municipal Scheme was put to the Schools Forum and the preferred option was the Zurich Municipal Scheme.

The current arrangements are no longer financially viable due to the reduced number of schools in the programme.