Issue - meetings

1.     The DSG Settlement for 2024-25 was received on 19 December 2023. It included:

a.    Indicative allocations for the early years block reflecting the new free entitlements in 2024-25.

b.    Final allocations for the school’s block based on the October 2023 schools census with the increase in funding through the schools NFF at £5.1m (2%). Higher funding values account for £4.3m (1.7%) with additional pupils at census providing a further £0.8m (0.3%). Funding for in-year pupil growth at September 2024, has increased by £83,000 (4.6%) compared with last year.

c.    Allocations for the central school services block provide an increase of £55,000 (3.2%) compared with last year for on-going LA functions with previous levels of funding not yet restored for historic commitments.

d.    Allocations for the high needs block are an increase of £1.7m (3%).

e.    A draft DSG budget for 2024-25 is provided in the Appendix to provide context for decisions on the meeting agenda. The funding gap for high needs pupils is projected to be £29m in the absence of additional funding sources.

The report also includes budget monitoring information for quarter three 2023-24. This indicates that the accumulated DSG deficit is projected at £63m for March 2024, rising to £92m by March 2025.

The Assistant Chief Finance Officer presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The early years block is to be considered at the February 2024 meeting. The Forum was advised that the DSG Settlement for 2024-25 was received on 19 December 2023. It included indicative allocations for the early years block reflecting the new free entitlements in 2024-25. The final allocations for the school’s block based on the October 2023 schools census with the increase in funding through the schools NFF at £5.1m was included. Higher funding values account for £4.3m with additional pupils at census providing a further £0.8m. There was a slight increase in pupil numbers at the secondary level and a decrease in primary which affected the overall funding level. Funding for in-year pupil growth at September 2024, had increased by £83,000 compared with last year. Allocations for the central school services block provided an increase of £55,000 compared with last year for on-going LA functions with the previous levels of funding not yet restored for historic commitments.

Allocations for the high needs block were increased slightly. A draft DSG budget for 2024-25 was provided in the Appendix to provide context for decisions. It was agreed by the Forum in December that only the surplus school block funding could be transferred. The funding gap for high needs pupils was projected to be £29m in the absence of additional funding sources.

There had been a delay in the new value for licenses paid for by the DfE on behalf of schools, which would require an adjustment to the budget when the figures were known.

The report also includes budget monitoring information for quarter three 2023-24. This indicates that the accumulated DSG deficit is projected at £63m for March 2024, rising to £92m by March 2025.

The Chair sought clarification that the surplus funding which could be transferred as outlined in the report was £0.4 million. This was confirmed.

RESOLVED that

1. The contents of the report be noted.
2. The budgets within the central schools services block (CSSB) be agreed (as outlined in Table 3, paragraph 21 of the report).

Voting: Nem. con.