Issue - meetings

The council receives the ring-fenced dedicated schools grant (DSG) to fund the separate early years and mainstream schools funding formulae. The content of each formula is highly regulated by the Department for Education (DfE) and stakeholders must be consulted. Consultations have been undertaken with each sector, with the School’s Forum considering the outcomes on 13 January 2022 and making recommendations to the council.

The early years formula (for ages 2, 3 and 4) in BCP is for a sector comprised largely of private, voluntary, and independent settings with a small number of nursery classes in mainstream schools and academies. The DSG funding rates have increased by 4% overall for 2022/23.

The mainstream schools formula (for reception to year 11) is applicable equally for maintained schools and academies. Funding for the for 2022/23 formula has increased by 3.9% from a combination of higher funding values, data changes and rising pupil numbers. 

There is surplus funding, estimated at £0.751 million, in the schools block available to transfer to high needs. 

The Portfolio Holder for Council Priorities and Delivery presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix '?' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder advised of an amendment to paragraph 18 of the report whereby the third sentence should read “This is additional to the accumulated deficit brought forward of £7.8 million at April 2021.”

Further to this the Portfolio Holder expressed thanks to the finance team for their hard work.

Cabinet was advised that the council receives the ring-fenced dedicated schools grant (DSG) to fund the separate early years and mainstream schools funding formulae, and that the content of each formula is highly regulated by the Department for Education (DfE) and stakeholders must be consulted. In relation to this Cabinet was informed that consultations have been undertaken with each sector, with the School’s Forum considering the outcomes on 13 January 2022 and making recommendations to the council.

Cabinet was informed that the early years formula (for ages 2, 3 and 4) in BCP is for a sector comprised largely of private, voluntary, and independent settings with a small number of nursery classes in mainstream schools and academies, and that the DSG funding rates have increased by 4% overall for 2022/23.

Cabinet was further informed that the mainstream schools formula (for reception to year 11) is applicable equally for maintained schools and academies, and that funding for the for 2022/23 formula has increased by 3.9% from a combination of higher funding values, data changes and rising pupil numbers. 

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that there is surplus funding, estimated at £0.751 million, in the schools block available to transfer to high needs. 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve: -

(a)           the early years funding formula as set out in table 2 of paragraph 44 to increase the budget for the SEND inclusion fund paid to providers with the balance of additional funding allocated to the formula base rates;

(b)           that the local mainstream formula is to continue to adopt the national funding formula (NFF) as set out in the appendix;  

(c)           that the surplus school block funding estimated at £0.751 million is transferred to support pupils with high needs; and 

(d)           that the minimum funding guarantee for specialist providers is set at 0% to allow maximum budget flexibility.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Council Priorities and Delivery

The Portfolio Holder for Council Priorities and Delivery presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'G' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder advised of an amendment to paragraph 18 of the report whereby the third sentence should read “This is additional to the accumulated deficit brought forward of £7.8 million at April 2021.”

Further to this the Portfolio Holder expressed thanks to the finance team for their hard work.

Cabinet was advised that the council receives the ring-fenced dedicated schools grant (DSG) to fund the separate early years and mainstream schools funding formulae, and that the content of each formula is highly regulated by the Department for Education (DfE) and stakeholders must be consulted. In relation to this Cabinet was informed that consultations have been undertaken with each sector, with the School’s Forum considering the outcomes on 13 January 2022 and making recommendations to the council.

Cabinet was informed that the early years formula (for ages 2, 3 and 4) in BCP is for a sector comprised largely of private, voluntary, and independent settings with a small number of nursery classes in mainstream schools and academies, and that the DSG funding rates have increased by 4% overall for 2022/23.

Cabinet was further informed that the mainstream schools formula (for reception to year 11) is applicable equally for maintained schools and academies, and that funding for the for 2022/23 formula has increased by 3.9% from a combination of higher funding values, data changes and rising pupil numbers. 

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that there is surplus funding, estimated at £0.751 million, in the schools block available to transfer to high needs. 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve: -

(a)           the early years funding formula as set out in table 2 of paragraph 44 to increase the budget for the SEND inclusion fund paid to providers with the balance of additional funding allocated to the formula base rates;

(b)           that the local mainstream formula is to continue to adopt the national funding formula (NFF) as set out in the appendix;  

(c)           that the surplus school block funding estimated at £0.751 million is transferred to support pupils with high needs; and 

(d)           that the minimum funding guarantee for specialist providers is set at 0% to allow maximum budget flexibility.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Council Priorities and Delivery