Agenda and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest from Members of Schools’ Forum.

To consider the minutes of the meeting of Schools’ Forum, which was held on 26 September 2023

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the School’s Forum, which was held on 26 September 2023.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting of Schools’ Forum, which was held on 26 September 2023, be approved as a correct record

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

Consideration was given to a report of the Interim Assistant Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Education, which provided an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget position for the financial year 2023-24.

Members were made aware that there was a forecast surplus of £0.010m on the Schools Block, which related to unallocated growth.  However, it was noted that this was based on October census 2023 data and figures would be updated once this was finalised.  It was further noted that any surplus on the Schools Block would be used to reduce the DSG deficit and that the Central School Services Support Block was expected to be spent in full.

Members acknowledged that the High Needs Block continued to be under significant pressure and it was explained that there was a forecast in-year deficit of £5.913m on the High Needs Block.  However, this reduced to £5.219m following the £0.694m transfer from the Schools Block.  This represented a favourable movement of £0.657m from the forecast in September 2023.  It was further noted that September and October had seen a low number of Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) being issued,  However, the overall number of plans forecast to be issued during the financial year was an average of 45 plans per month.

Members were made aware that there may be further expenditure on the High Needs Block in relation to the education costs relating to Children’s Social Care (CSC) placements.  It was noted that the DSG already funded the educational costs for a number of CSC placements but a review was underway, which would look to ensure all partner contributions, including Health, Education and Social Care were applied fairly and in accordance with the specific individual placement requirements.  It was explained that this may identify additional contributions required from the High Needs Block and an estimate of £0.100m had been included at this stage.  Members were made aware that, once the review was complete further information would be provided.

With regards to the Early Years Block, Members were informed that there was a forecast surplus on the Early Years Block of (£0.492m), which represented an adverse movement of £0.058m to the forecast reported in September 2023.  It was noted that actual participation for the Autumn term was currently being finalised and an update on these areas of entitlement along with early years pupil premium and the disability access fund would be provided at the next Schools Forum meeting in January 2024.

Members were made aware that there was a forecast deficit of £0.126m on the SEND Inclusion Fund (SENDIF), which represented an adverse movement of £0.058m in comparison to the previously reported forecast.  It was explained that approved SENDIF requests for funding were at a higher level in the first half of 2023-24 but looked to level out, with a further update to be brought to the January Schools’ Forum meeting.

Members were provided with an update on the Early Years Supplementary Grant (EYSG), which would provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

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

Consideration was given to a report of the Interim Assistant Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Education, which outlined the consultation to all schools regarding the allocation of Schools Block funding for 2024-25.

An error in the original calculations for NFF by the DfE was highlighted and Members were made aware that the DfE had apologised for this error.  Documentation in relation to this was shared with Members.  As a result, the high level information and NFF rates presented during the last meeting had been revised.

It was explained that the provisional 2024-25 updated allocation for Tameside had increased by £6.791m, as opposed to £8.668m as originally reported.  It was noted that this was after increasing the 2023-24 Schools Block allocation to take account to the mainstream schools additional grant (MSAG) funding that was allocated in 2023-24.  There was also increases in funding across all blocks for Tameside MBC, which was noted as positive.  However, the High Needs increase continued to be capped, which would continue to contribute to the High Needs deficit.

A detailed description of the Schools Block Finding Formula Proposals was provided for Members.  It was noted that the core factors in the updated schools NFF (such as basic entitlement and the lump sum) would increase by 1.4% and the funding floor would ensure that every school would attract at least 0.5% more pupil-led funding than 2023-24.

Members were made aware that the modelled figures show schools were seeing an average increase of 4.92% across Tameside mainstream schools (excluding premises factors, business rates and PFI).

It was explained that part of the average 4.92% increase was related to the 2023-24 MASG  being rolled into 2024-25 schools block baselines.  Further comparisons were provided to show the average increase excluding the MSAG and the average increases show 1.43% across Tameside mainstream schools, which related to inflationary increases in comparison to 2023-24.

It was suggested that, based on the modelled allocations to schools and the 2024-25 funding announcements, it would be possible to:

• Set the MFG protection at the highest rate possible of 0.50%

• Remove the Gains Cap so no school would see their formula allocation capped

• Transfer 0.50% from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block.

In relation to Growth Funding, Members were made aware that this was not included in the provisional figures provided.  However, it was explained that LAs must use the new NFF requirements for growth funding, whereby additional classes (driven by basic need) must be funded by at least the minimum funding level set out in the funding calculation.  The NFF growth allocations had been set at £1,550 per new primary pupil and £2,320 per new secondary pupil plus a lump sum of £76,195 for each brand-new school.   It was noted that the rates used in the local formulae for Tameside were already above these rates and that there was a plan to review the existing growth policy in light of the updates to NFF.

In relation to high needs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

To note that the next meeting of Schools’ Forum will be held on Thursday 18 January 2024 at 10am

21        DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED

That the next meeting of The Schools Forum be held at Dukinfield Town Hall, Thursday 18 January 2024 at 10am.