Agenda item

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

Consideration was given to a report from Director of Education (Tameside and Stockport), which provided an update on the current DSG deficit position and an update on the Delivering Better Value programme and action plan to address spending pressures.

Members were informed that cumulative deficit for the dedicated Schools Grant at the end of 2021-22 was £3.243m.  This represented an increase of £1.687m from 2020-21. 

It was highlighted that the High Needs element of the grant for 2021-22 (£28.196m) along with the transfer from Schools Block (£0.878m) had provided funds of £29.073m.  However, the spend of £31.046m had exceeded this allocation by £1.973m. 

It was noted that despite unprecedented investment in the High Needs sector, as highlighted in the Green Paper and a range of proposed management actions, which were outlined in the report, Tameside continued to face significant deficits, both in-year and now on the overall dedicated Schools Grant.  It was further explained that this was predominantly in relation to the cap on the High Needs National Funding Formula and a significant part of funding still being based on the 2017-18 baseline spend.  A comparison was made between other GM authorities to illustrate this.

Growth projections in relation to the number of Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) being requested was discussed, along with the impact of Covid-19.  Concern was expressed that the demand for assessment and awarding of plans had grown exponentially and, at this stage, it was difficult to ascertain whether this increased demand would be temporary.

An overview on the previously agreed actions with regard to the management plan was provided, including service reviews, resource bases, Pupil Referral Service funding model, Element 3 savings, Top-up funding, Post 16 provision and contract reviews.

It was noted that, since the management plan had been put into place, there had been some delays in moving forwards, partly due to capacity issues within the SEND team.  It was stated that resources had been diverted to respond to the recent SEND inspection, the associated Written Statement of Action and additional workload, which had been as a result of the pandemic.  Members were also made aware that the Council had approved additional staffing for the SEND team to support increased demand and a number of additional posts had been created.

It was explained that Tameside were now part of the Delivering Better Value in SEND programme, which aimed to build capacity and capability within the system in order to help address existing challenges and pressures in anticipation of wider SEND reforms.  It was also highlighted that this would promote further partnership work with Stockport, which would allow for joint capacity and collaborative activity.

Following presentation of the report, Forum Members expressed their continued support with regard to concerns surrounding the lack of funding and the disparity between Tameside and statistical neighbours.  It was noted that local Members of Parliament had previously raised this issue and that there had been correspondence with the DfE in relation to these concerns.  However, it was also acknowledged that there was perhaps more that could be done with regard to escalating these issues and obtaining further support.  Following some detailed discussion, it was suggested that this would continue to be considered outside of the meeting.

It was noted that, in terms of realising potential savings, there was still more work that could be done and it was acknowledged that the system needed to be provision led rather than needs led.  It was emphasised that the high number of requests for statutory assessments was of significant concern.  As a result, it was felt that a strong focus was required on effective use of the graduated approach to better identify and meet need early, with a view to improving provision and, in turn, helping to alleviate some of the financial pressures.

RESOLVED

(i)   That the contents of the report be noted and supported.

(ii)  That further savings ideas continue to be shared