Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)  delegate the decision for the early years formula to Cabinet on 6 March to allow time for the consultation with the sector and Schools Forum to conclude; and

(b)  agree the local mainstream formula as set out in paragraphs 45 to 47 and appendix 3a, which remains dependent on final decisions from the DfE. In the event that these decisions have not been received by the time of the Council meeting, then the final decision is delegated to the Corporate Director for Children’s Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

Councillor R Burton presented the report and recommendations as set out on the agenda.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor M Cox.

Council moved to a vote on each recommendation separately, where the motion as follows was carried.

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)       delegate the decision for the early years formula to Cabinet on 6 March to allow time for the consultation with the sector and Schools Forum to conclude; and

Voting: For - 60; Against - 0; Abstentions - 13.

(b)       agree the local mainstream formula as set out in paragraphs 45 to 47 and appendix 3a, which remains dependent on final decisions from the DfE. In the event that these decisions have not been received by the time of the Council meeting, then the final decision is delegated to the Corporate Director for Children’s Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

Voting: For - 38; Against - 25; Abstentions - 10.

The council receives the ring-fenced dedicated schools grant (DSG) to fund the separate early years and mainstream schools funding formulae. The contents of each formula are highly regulated by the Department for Education (DfE). The council is to decide the local formulae after considering the recommendations of the Schools Forum.

The early years funding levels for 2024/25 were received from the DfE in late November. A consultation with the sector in January is being considered with Schools Forum on 6 February when a recommendation will be made to the council.

A consultation concerning the mainstream schools formula 2024/25 was undertaken with schools in November/December 2023 with the  outcome and further work considered by the Schools Forum on 13 December 2023. A further meeting on 15 January 2024 provided a recommendation to the council.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)        Delegate the decision for the early years formula to Cabinet on 6 March to allow time for the consultation with the sector and Schools Forum to conclude; and

(b)        Agree the local mainstream formula as set out in paragraphs 45 to 47 and appendix 3a, which remains dependent on final decisions from the DfE. In the event that these decisions have not been received by the time of the Council meeting, then the final decision is delegated to the Corporate Director for Children’s Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children and Young People

Reason

Recommendation 1 is to enable time for the early years funding consultation to conclude, and for Schools Forum to make a recommendation to the council.

Recommendation 2 balances the funding needs of schools with the need to reduce the annual high needs funding gap, recognising the limitations in achieving a higher level of funding transfer from mainstream schools funding.

The Portfolio Holder for Childrens and Young People presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the council received the ring-fenced dedicated schools grant (DSG) to fund the separate early years and mainstream schools funding formulae, and that the contents of each formula are highly regulated by the Department for Education (DfE).

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the council is to decide the local formulae after considering the recommendations of the Schools Forum.

Cabinet was informed that the early years funding levels for 2024/25 were received from the DfE in late November, and that a consultation with the sector in January was considered with Schools Forum on 6 February.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that a consultation concerning the mainstream schools formula 2024/25 was undertaken with schools in November/December 2023 with the outcome and further work considered by the Schools Forum on 13 December 2023, and that a further meeting on 15 January 2024 provided a recommendation to the council.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

1.          Delegate the decision for the early years formula to Cabinet on 6 March to allow time for the consultation with the sector and Schools Forum to conclude; and

2.          Agree the local mainstream formula as set out in paragraphs 45 to 47 and appendix 3a, which remains dependent on final decisions from the DfE. In the event that these decisions have not been received by the time of the Council meeting, then the final decision is delegated to the Corporate Director for Children’s Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children and Young People

Reason

Recommendation 1 is to enable time for the early years funding consultation to conclude, and for Schools Forum to make a recommendation to the council.

Recommendation 2 balances the funding needs of schools with the need to reduce the annual high needs funding gap, recognising the limitations in achieving a higher level of funding transfer from mainstream schools funding.