Agenda and minutes

Venue: Zoom Meeting

Contact: Democratic Services  0161 342 2316 or Email: natalie.king@tameside.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

21.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of Schools’ Forum.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Elaine Horridge, Diocesan Representative, declared an interest in Agenda Item 7, Exclusions – Determination of Budgets.

 

22.

Minutes of Schools' Forum Meeting 24 November 2020 pdf icon PDF 305 KB

To consider the minutes of the meeting of Schools’ Forum held on 24 November 2020.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the School’s Forum held on 24 November 2020. 

 

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting of Schools’ Forum held on 24 November 2020 be approved as a correct record.

 

23.

DSG Budget Update for 2020-21 pdf icon PDF 302 KB

To consider the attached report of the Assistant Director, Finance and the Assistant Director, Education.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Director of Finance and the Assistant Director of Education, which provided an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget for 2020-21.

 

It was outlined that there was a forecast surplus of £0.072m on the Schools Block, relating to rates rebates in schools that recently converted to Academy status, and rates charges being lower than estimated.  It was further explained that this was partly offset by rates re-valuations (relating to 6 schools) resulting in an increase in the costs of £0.019m. Members were also informed that there was a surplus of £0.251m relating to unallocated growth funding and it was proposed that any surplus be used to contribute to the DSG reserve deficit. 

 

In addition, Members were also informed that there was forecast to be a small surplus on the Central School Services Block of £0.003m.  It was explained that this was due to the cost of licences being slightly less than estimated.  With regard to the Early Years Block, it was explained that there was a projected surplus of £0.395m.

 

Members of the Forum noted that the in-year overspend against the High Needs Block was now estimated to be £3.687m.  This would be offset by the Schools Block transfer, leaving a projected year-end deficit of £2.838m.  It was explained that this was an improved position and, as previously discussed, Members’ attention was drawn to the slowing or flattening of growth.

 

It was discussed that a review of SEND support services had also identified savings in relation to staffing, previously charged to the High Needs Block.  It was expected that the full effect of these efficiencies will be seen in next year’s spend.

 

In relation to growth, Members were informed that Tameside had seen significant growth throughout the past 2-3 years, bringing the LA further in line with the national average.  As the number of EHCP’s was expected to increase to 1,832 by the end of the financial year, this would mean that the percentage of pupils holding EHCP’s within Tameside would be 3.79%.

 

It was highlighted that growth projections were based on growth in the Special sector next year and that this would flatten as schools reach capacity.  Resource bases were also expected to see continued growth, with the implementation of plans for new units across the borough.  However, growth was expected to increase at a slower rate in the mainstream sector, flattening out in 2025.

 

In relation to the Early Years Block, it was explained that, due to the current COVID-19 situation, it was more difficult to complete the projections for spend, due to the impact on providers.  At present, it was anticipated that there would be a £0.395m surplus at the end of the financial year.  However, Members were informed that this could change significantly due to the changing nature of Government directives in managing the COVID-19 outbreak, and the rapidly changing environment.

 

Members were informed that, whilst the Autumn term saw the vast majority of providers re-open,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

DSG Funding Formula 2021-22 pdf icon PDF 425 KB

To consider the attached report of the Assistant Director, Finance and the Assistant Director, Education.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Director of Finance and the Assistant Director of Education with regard to DSG Funding for 2021-22, which provided information regarding the allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding for 2021-22.

 

Members of the Forum were informed that the provisional DSG settlement for 2021-22 of £229.965m was received on 17 December 2020.  It was explained that all DSG funding must be deployed to schools and/or pupils in accordance with the School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2020.

 

A breakdown of the latest settlements for the four blocks of DSG was provided, as follows:

 

DSG Blocks

2020-21
£000

2021-22
£000

Increase
£000

Schools Block (includes Academies)*

169,918

183,081

13,163

High Needs Block

24,425

28,277

3,852

Early Years Block

17,261

17,494

232

Central Schools Services Block

953

1,114

161

Total

212,557

229,965

17,408

 

It was explained that the increase of £13.163m in Schools Block was related to the increase in pupil numbers, roll in of the teachers’ Pay and Pension Grants, uplift for RPIX and increase in DfE funding rates.

 

The increase in High Needs Block funding was explained as relating to an increase in pupil numbers along with the ‘per head’ gain Tameside has seen as a result of the National Funding Formula (NFF).

 

With regard to the Early Years Block, Members were informed that the increase was related to the increase in DfE funding rates.  Similarly, the increase in the Central Schools Services Block (CSSB) also related to an increase in DfE funding rates, which included an element of funding for the roll in of the central teachers’ pension grant, along with increased pupil numbers.

 

It was explained that the Schools Block was the largest element of Dedicated Schools Grant funding and provided the majority of funding for mainstream schools and academies, with additional elements potentially being allocated through the Early Years and High Needs Blocks.  It was outlined that the Schools Block settlement from the Department for Education was made up of the following funding:

  1. A primary unit of funding (PUF) of £4,601.57
  2. A secondary unit of funding (SUF) of £5,902.47

 

This core school funding covered all pupil and school led factors in the funding formula.  Members of the Forum were made aware that Primary and Secondary units of funding were multiplied by the pupil numbers in Reception to Year 6 plus pupils aged 4 to 10 who were not assigned to a year group for Primary, and pupils in Years 7 to 11, plus pupils aged 11 to 15, not assigned to a year group for Secondary.

  • Premises – this includes Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and business rates which were based on historical spend
  • Mobility – to support schools in which a high proportion of pupils first join on a non-standard date
  • Growth – this was calculated using the difference between the Primary and Secondary numbers on roll on the October 2019 and October 2020 school censuses

 

The report detailed the total Schools Block settlement for 2021-22 was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

De-delegation and RPA 2021-22 pdf icon PDF 348 KB

To consider the attached report of the Assistant Director, Education, Assistant Director, Finance and Assistant Director, People and Workforce Development.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Director of Finance, the Assistant Director of Education and Assistant Director of People and Workforce Development with regard to de-delegation services and Risk Protection Arrangements (RPA) for 2021-22.

 

Members of the Forum were informed that de-delegated funds were a deduction from a school’s budget share and were held centrally to fund relevant services.  It was also clarified that this arrangement applied only to maintained primary and secondary school budgets, with each sector voting separately, each year, in relation to each of the services.  With regard to academies, information relating to the option of procurement as a traded service was provided, and it was explained that this charge would be on the same basis as de-delegation.

 

An overview of the roles and responsibilities of trade union Support was provided.  It was explained that Tameside schools have for many years had access to trade union Support through a Service Level Agreement arrangement that recognises the main trade unions and professional associations that support the various public sector employee groups across the whole school workforce.

 

Furthermore, it was made clear that this support provides schools with centrally co-ordinated trade union services to support schools’ and leaders’ statutory obligations. In particular, it was explained that this provides schools, school leaders and governing bodies with support and expertise in employment related matters, helping to resolve workplace issues early on.  It was also highlighted that this could provide a significant and positive contribution to school leaders with their management of change; any large scale reorganisation leaders may wish to implement; and the implementation of employment related policies and procedures.

 

Members were informed that local trade union representatives undertake a variety of roles in collective bargaining and working with school leaders and managers, communicating with union members, liaising with relevant trade unions at regional and national level and greatly assisting in the handling of individual matters concerning school based employees.

 

The role was described as being complex and, as such, having local knowledge and understanding of the Tameside School Campus’ aims and aspirations for students in the borough would bring many benefits in ensuring positive and collaborative employee relations within a school’s workforce. 

 

In particular, it was highlighted that the support and collaborative working between local trade union representatives, school leaders and school-based employees had never been more prevalent than during 2020, whilst schools had been ‘living with COVID’.  Members were informed that local trade union representatives had supported schools to react appropriately and quickly when dealing with constant change and when implementing safe, sensible and pragmatic decisions in terms of pupils, staff, parents and visitors wellbeing.

 

A summary of areas of activity for trade union representatives to be involved with was provided, including:

  • terms and conditions of employment, or the physical conditions in which workers were
  • required to work;
  • engagement/non-engagement, or termination or suspension of employment, or the
  • duties of employment of one or more workers;
  • allocation of work or the duties of employment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Exclusions - Redermination of Budgets pdf icon PDF 255 KB

To consider the attached report of the Assistant Director, Finance and the Assistant Director, Education.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Director of Finance, the Assistant Director of Education outlining the process for the redetermination of budgets, where pupils have been excluded.

 

The Schools’ Revenue Funding Operational Guidance was outlined for members in relation to  where pupils are permanently excluded or who had left mainstream school for reasons other than permanent exclusion and who were receiving education funded by the local authority, such as alternative provisions or a specialist setting.

 

Members were informed that adjustments to school budgets would be made on a financial year basis and these would include all pupils, regardless of whether they had been included in the census information, and whether the school had received funding for them, in line with the operational guidance, previously outlined.  It was also outlined that adjustments for both maintained, mainstream schools and academies would be treated in the same way.

 

It was discussed that the following pupil led factors would be included in the funding adjustment:

·                       Basic Entitlement

·                       Free School Meals (FSM)

·                       FSM Ever6

·                       Education as an Additional Language (EAL) (year 3)

 

It was made clear that these would be transferred between settings and would be the relevant values for both primary and secondary sectors.  In addition, it was outlined that Pupil Premium funding would be deducted for any pupils currently eligible for free school means (FSM).

 

It was proposed that funding was administered on the ‘average’ per pupil values across Tameside rather than individual schools and an overview of the average funding adjustments, including minimum and maximum deductions for individual schools was provided.

 

Members were informed that a review of North West authorities’ approach was undertaken in September 2019.  It was stated that all authorities who had included other pupil-led factors, administered using the ‘average’ per pupil values, in agreement with Schools’ Forum.  Therefore, agreement from Forum was sought in order to administer this way in Tameside.

 

It was explained that the deductions would be pro rata to the number of complete weeks remaining in the current financial year from the ‘relevant date’ (the only exception being where the exclusion takes place after 1 April and the pupil would normally have left at the end of the school year).  Members were also informed that these values would be updated accordingly each financial year.

 

It was explained that the same allocation basis and cash values for exclusion deductions would be used in the same way to fund admissions of excluded pupils in schools.

 

RESOLVED

That Members support the approach outlined in the report, in relation to the administration of funding flows

 

 


27.

Date of Next Meeting

Additional documents:

Minutes:

27        DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

RESOLVED

That the next meeting of The Schools Forum be held on Tuesday 16 March 2021 at 10am