Agenda and minutes

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

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Items
No. Item

9.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of School’s Forum.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest from Members of Forum.

 

10.

Appointment of Chair and Deputy Chair

To appoint a Chair and Deputy Chair for the 2021-22 Academic Year.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

That Karen Burns be appointed as Chair and Susan Marsh be appointed as Deputy Chair of the Schools’ Forum for the 2021/22 Academic Year.

 

11.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 273 KB

To consider the minutes of the meeting of Schools’ Forum, which was held on 22 June 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the School’s Forum, held on 22 June 2021.

 

It was noted that Minute 5 (page 4 and page 5) referred to surplus balances for 2021-22.  This should have stated 2020-21.

 

RESOLVED

That, with the agreed amendment, the minutes of the meeting of Schools’ Forum held on 22 June 2021 be approved as a correct record.

 

12.

Schools' Forum Terms of Reference, Principles and Constitution pdf icon PDF 131 KB

To consider the attached report of the Director of Governance and Pensions.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Governance and Pensions, giving details of the Terms of Reference for Schools’ Forum, which included the guiding principles and constitution of the Forum.  The Terms of Reference had been established to provide an overview of the purpose and functions of the Schools Forum with guiding principles covering the expectations of all Schools Forum members in relation to their role as a member, to ensure the consultation and decision making was effective and fair

 

The documents reflected the Department for Education guidance for Schools’ Forum published in September 2018 and updated in March 2021. 

 

In considering the report, members noted that were currently 3 vacancies within Schools’ Forum, for this academic year, which included:

  • 1 Maintained Primary School representative
  • 1 Academy Primary School representative
  • 1 non-school member (Roman Catholic Diocese)

 

Members undertook to raise the matter at suitable forums and groups and agreed to feedback through the Clerk and Chair of Schools Forum in advance of the next meeting.

 

RESOLVED

(i)     That the Terms of Reference, Forum Principles, Constitution and membership of Schools Forum be noted and approved for publication on the Council’s website.

(ii)    That current vacancies within Schools Forum membership be raised at suitable forums and groups, as appropriate 

 

13.

School Balances 2020-21 pdf icon PDF 177 KB

To consider the attached report of the Assistant Director, Finance and Director, Education (Tameside and Stockport).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Director of Finance and  Director of Education (Tameside and Stockport), which provided an update on the surplus balances held by schools at the end of 2020-21 financial year. 

 

Following the previous meeting of Schools’ Forum, Members were reminded that there were currently 12 schools, which were identified as having excess surplus balances at risk of claw back.  As Members had requested a further detailed review of any exceptional circumstances prior to taking any decision, this was provided.

 

It was noted that 6 of the 12 schools were holding capital balances due to delays, which equated to £406,078.  The remaining 6 schools held smaller balances, as a result of underspends due to the pandemic, which accrued to £46,423.  It was explained that each of these schools had submitted a return, which had then been reviewed.  It was found that the reasons for these underspends, were generally relating to:

·       Underspends on catering contracts

·      Residential trips

·      Interventions

·      Reduced extra-curricular activities

·      Unspent teaching materials

 

Members were reminded that, as previously agreed, a Capital Reserve can be set up by the Local Authority, which would allow schools to transfer balances being used to support specific capital projects prior to their completion.

 

As 2 of the 12 schools identified were holding surplus balances for both capital and general underspend, there were 8 schools holding balances for capital purposes.  Therefore, it was  recommended that School’s Forum request these balances be moved to a Capital Reserve, rather than be removed for clawback and a detailed breakdown of the recommended amounts for transfer was provided in Table 2.

 

Members noted that all schools had received in-year, additional funding from Government, which may have impacted on them having unanticipated increased balances, for example, Covid Catch-Up Premium.  It was also explained that, for most schools, this had been received in advance of need.  As a result, it was recommended that this be removed from the balances prior to clawback decisions.  Members were, therefore, informed that this would remove £30,104 of the balances of 4 schools from being at risk of clawback, with 2 schools remaining at risk, totalling £16,319.

 

Members were informed that there had been further developments with regard to term-time only payback for staff under the NJC terms and conditions in Tameside.  It was noted that a report was currently going through the Council’s governance process, which would result in all affected schools needing to incur additional, on-going salary costs and back-pay.  This was something, which it was felt Members may want to take into consideration when making their decisions relating to the clawback mechanism.

 

Members were also made aware that, following submission of the approved budget plans in May 2021, 12 schools (7 primary, 3 secondary schools and 2 special schools) submitted plans with surplus balances above the sector thresholds for the financial year 2021-22.  These schools had also submitted an approved Utilisation of School Balances form identifying reasons for holding the surplus and the finance team  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Schools' Financial Values Standard Returns pdf icon PDF 145 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Director of Finance, which provided an update on the requirement for schools to complete the self-assessment process against the Schools’ Financial Value Standard by 31 March 2021.

 

It was explained that this this return needed to be submitted on an annual basis.  For the last financial year, schools submitted this to the Local Authority by 31 May 2021.  This had been reviewed and a return submitted to the DfE by 9 July 2021.  Members of Forum were informed that there had been 100% compliance from schools.

 

RESOLVED

That the contents of the report be noted

 

 

15.

2022 -23 School Funding Update on NFF and Summer Announcements from DFE pdf icon PDF 441 KB

To consider the attached report of the assistant Director, Finance and Director, Education (Tameside and Stockport).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Director of Finance and the Director of Education (Tameside and Stockport), which provided members with an update on the latest funding announcements.

 

Members were made aware that The DSG announcements at this stage only covered the Schools Block, High Needs Block and the Central Service Support Block.  Early Years Block information had not be shared at this point.  However, it was explained that updates on this and confirmation of all other allocations were expected in December 2021.  It was noted that the data stated in this report was based on the 2021-22 data set (October 2020 census data) and would change in order to take account of October 2021 census returns.

 

With regard to Schools Block, it was explained that there had been an increase of £40.146m, which represented an increase of 4% at a national level.  This had resulted in a £5.573m increase in 2022-23 provisional allocation, excluding growth funding and Members were presented with a detailed breakdown of the funding elements.

 

Key areas of change were highlighted, including the Sparsity Factor.  Members were informed that NFF rates had been significantly increased by DfE on the Sparsity Factor for a 2nd year, which had resulted in an increase from £45k to £55k per primary school, and from £75k to £80k in secondary schools.  However, as this was payable to schools, which were both small and remote, although the distance measurements had changed so that this would reach a wider number of schools,  there would still be no Tameside schools, which would benefit from this as they did not meet the criteria.

 

Members were informed that there had been changes to the rates at which IDACI bandings were paid and that, in most cases, these had increased by at least 3%.

 

With regard to Prior Attainment and Mobility Factors, 2019 attainment data would continue to be used as a proxy for allocated this funding.  Similarly, it was stated that Mobility Factor was using a proxy for May 2020 and that the census did not take place.  Instead, it was explained that the child’s start date in school, would be used.

 

It was highlighted that the measurement  point for Free School Meals Ever6 had changed.  This had been brought forward from the January census to the October census to reduce lag and had been brought in line with the measurement point for other factors.  It was stated that the related increase in this factor was 2%.

 

It was noted that, following consultation, Business Rates funding would no longer be allocated to the Local Authority or Academy Trusts for them to pay the Council but that these costs would be paid directly by DfE to each Local Authority on behalf of all schools and academies in the area.

 

It was explained that Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) would continue to be set by Local Authorities using local formulae between +0.5% and +2% per pupil and that there would be continuation of the compulsory  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

DSG Schools' Grant Budget Update pdf icon PDF 288 KB

To consider the attached report of Assistant Director, Finance and Director, Education (Tameside and Stockport).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Director of Finance and the Director of Education (Tameside and Stockport), which outlined the Schools Grant budget position for the financial year 2021-22 and the DSG reserve position.

 

Members were provided with a budget update for 2021-22, including the projected distribution/spend for the DSG settlement.   It was stated that there was an overall deficit of £1.439m and explained that the forecast surplus of £0.168m on the Schools Block related to actual rates charges being lower than estimated (0.049m) and unallocated growth (£0.118m).  Members were also informed that the Central Schools services Block (CSSB) was expected to be spent in full.

 

Members were made aware that the projected in-year deficit on the High Needs Block was expected to be £3.271m, which would reduce to £2.393m with the £0.878m transfer from the Schools Block. Included in this figure was a further £0.994m of estimated in-year growth for September to March 2022.

 

It was estimated that the Early Years Block would have a surplus of £0.787m, and Members reminded funding would be based on data collections in summer 2021, autumn 2021 and spring 2022 terms.  It was noted that this would be different to previous years, when the funding had been based on spring census data only. 

 

With regard to the High Needs position for 2021-22, a breakdown of the £2.393m deficit (an increase of £1.256m) was provided and the impact of the growing number of EHCPs was again highlighted.  As a result, members were informed that some additional work had been undertaken alongside the SEND team and the initial projections of 207 new EHCPs had now been revised to 407 new plans, which were expected for the full financial year.

 

A detailed update of the Early Years Block for 2021-22 was provided for Members.  These were based on the actual payments made to providers for the summer term and estimated uptake for the autumn and spring terms for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.  It was noted that the current forecast indicated an underspend of £0.918m for 3 & 4 year olds, an overspend of £0.05m for 2 year olds and an overspend £0.03m on early years pupil premium.  However, this was based on the current settlement and as previously reported, it was expected that funding would be adjusted in line with the data collections from the summer term and future collections at autumn and spring.  It was, therefore, envisaged that the position would become more balanced and there will not be an underspend.

 

Members were informed that that current forecast for the SEND Inclusion Fund (SENIF) was illustrative of the increasing demand on this fund.  It was stated that this was being reviewed through the Early Years Working Group, where further work was being undertaken to understand the demand to ensure that funding support was being provided in the best way.  It was  acknowledged that it was extremely difficult to forecast the uptake of places, especially in light of the pandemic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

High Needs Deficit Recovery Plan pdf icon PDF 611 KB

To consider the attached report of Director, Education (Tameside and Stockport).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report Director of Education (Tameside and Stockport), which outlined the High Needs Deficit Recovery position for the financial year 2021-22.  The report also provided Members with a revised view on expected growth across SEND in Tameside, plans in place to address this and additional development proposals.

 

Member’s attention was drawn to the growth in Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) in Tameside over the next 10 years.  It was highlighted that the number of EHCPs had been rising steadily since 2017 and had now more than doubled, with 1960 EHCPs currently maintained.  As a result, it was explained that Tameside is now more in line with its statistical neighbours, with EHCPs representing approximately 3.64% of the population.

 

Whilst it was acknowledged that this recent growth was necessary, the significant demands this had placed on specialist providers and resource bases across Tameside was highlighted.  It was explained that this had placed increased pressure on placements for children with EHCPs, particularly across the specialist sector, where all schools and resource bases were currently oversubscribed.

 

Members were made aware that recently acquired data demonstrated the ongoing imperative to create additional SEND provision within Tameside in order to be able to effectively accommodate those most vulnerable learner in line with future growth.  It was stated that a previous over-reliance on out of borough provision had undoubtedly contributed to budget pressures and, therefore, there needed to be a more strategic approach taken to planning provision, which was driven by need, investing capital funding towards the creation of more local places. 

 

It was acknowledged that any changes to an established pattern of provision would be a long term process, given the importance of continuity for children and young people.  It was also emphasised that parents would be a key partner in these changes, along with schools’ Forum, who would be continually consulted and engaged throughout these developments.

 

The comprehensive SEND Sufficiency Strategy 2021-2031 was provided for Members.  It was outlined that this built on key pieces of work, such as the SEND Forward plan 2019-22, which had been implemented over the past 3 years.  Members were also made aware that this had been written with the benefit of newly acquired data and intelligence, which had been commissioned through Edge Analytics. 

 

Anticipated key areas of growth were outlined for Members of the Forum, including:

·   1089 new EHCP places projected over a 10-year period

·      2021-22 and 2022-23 projected to be the largest 2 years of growth with 179 (21-22) and 181 (22-23) places projected. Growth figures then decrease year on year. 

·      EHCP places for pupils in years 12-14 projected to more than double in 10 years

·      Years 7-11 projected to nearly double in 10 years  across both specialist and mainstream sectors

·      Years R-6 projected to increase by 29% in 10 years

 

Members were informed that these projections had been provided by Edge Analytics.  However, they were lower than the growth seen in real time.  Whilst this discrepancy was unclear, it was acknowledged  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Date of Next Meeting

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

That the next meeting of The Schools Forum be held on Tuesday 23 November 2021 at 10am

 

 

CHAIR