Issue - meetings

1.     The DSG Settlement for 2025-26 was received on 18 December 2024. It included:

a.   Indicative allocations for the early years block, with the 47% increase of £17m to £53.5m reflecting the phased expansions of the free childcare entitlements for working parents and increase in hourly funding rates. 

b.   Final allocations for the school’s block based on the October 2024 schools census, with the increase of 1.7% to £280.7m through the schools NFF reflecting higher factor unit values and an increase in pupil characteristic data partially offset by a net reduction in pupil roll.   

c.   Final allocations for the central school services block of £2.2m, providing an increase of 3.5% for on-going functions, including for the national insurance increase from April 2025.

d.   Indicative allocations for the high needs block are for an increase of £3.8m (6.2%) to £64.5m. 

2.     A draft DSG budget for 2025-26 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 £57.5m. 

The report also includes budget monitoring information for quarter three 2024-25. This indicates that the accumulated DSG deficit is projected at £108m for March 2025, rising to  £165.5m by March 2026.

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 Forum was advised that the schools and early years blocks were considered in separate papers on the meeting agenda. The DSG Settlement for 2025-26 was received on 18 December 2024. It included:

·     Indicative allocations for the early years block, with the 47% increase of £17m to £53.5m reflecting the phased expansions of the free childcare entitlements for working parents and increase in hourly funding rates. 

·     Final allocations for the school’s block based on the October 2024 schools census, with the increase of 1.7% to £280.7m through the schools NFF reflecting higher factor unit values and an increase in pupil characteristic data partially offset by a net reduction in pupil roll.   

·     Final allocations for the central school services block of £2.2m, providing an increase of 3.5% for on-going functions, including for the national insurance increase from April 2025.

·     Indicative allocations for the high needs block are for an increase of £3.8m (6.2%) to £64.5m. 

A draft DSG budget for 2025-26 was provided with in an Appendix to provide context for decisions on the meeting agenda. The funding gap for high needs pupils is projected to be £57.5m.  The report also includes budget monitoring information for quarter three 2024-25. This indicates that the accumulated DSG deficit is projected at £108m for March 2025, rising to  £165.5m by March 2026.

RESOLVED that

1.    The contents of the report be noted.

2.    That the budgets within the central schools services block (CSSB) as detailed in paragraph 20 of the report be agreed.

Voting: Unanimous