Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Phil Midworth and Vicky Peters.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made on this occasion.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 19 January 2026, as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2026 were approved as a correct record.

The Chair noted the post‑meeting note included within the minutes, which set out the modelling work undertaken following the meeting in relation to the mainstream funding formula.

This report sets out the outcome of the 2026/27 Early Years Funding consultations, and proposals for decision as outlined below. This is to ensure the Council meet its statutory requirements as per the Schools Forum regulations and Early Years Financial Regulations.

The Early Years Sub-Group, comprising representatives from a range of local provider types, has engaged constructively with the proposal and provided valuable input throughout its development. A key preference expressed by members was for the local consultation to be timed to follow the DfE’s announcement of national funding rates, while avoiding the Christmas period. This would ensure that providers are able to consider the local approach with full sight of confirmed funding levels. The DfE confirmed the national funding formulae and hourly rates for local authorities for the 2026/27 financial year on 15 December 2025, alongside the expectation that local authorities will pass through a minimum of 97% of this funding to providers.

For 2026–27, the Council proposes to maintain stability in the Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF) by keeping the current structure unchanged. This includes retaining the existing universal base rate and deprivation supplement, with no alterations to eligibility criteria or rates.

Any additional funding received from the Department for Education will be fully passed on to providers through increases in the universal base hourly rates.

The Special Educational Needs Inclusion Fund (SENIF) will also remain unchanged, with no amendments to existing rates or processes.

In line with national regulations, the Council will retain the maximum 3% of the EYSFF to fund central services necessary to administer and support the delivery of the early year’s entitlements.

On 12 January 2026, the Early Years Single Funding Formula consultation paper and online link for responses was emailed to 270 childcare providers registered for early education funding within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP). The deadline for responses was on 25 January 2026. 20% of providers engaged with the consultation. Overall, providers were supportive of the proposal for 2026/27 EYSFF.  The consultation response is summarised at Appendix A.

The Head of School Planning and Admissions presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and appears as Appendix ‘A’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Schools Forum was advised that the report set out the outcome of the 2026–27 Early Years funding consultations and proposals for decision, to ensure the Council met its statutory requirements under the Schools Forum and Early Years financial regulations.

Members were informed that the Early Years Sub‑Group, comprising representatives from a range of local provider types, had engaged constructively with the proposal and provided valuable input throughout its development. A key preference expressed by Members was for the local consultation to be timed to follow the Department for Education’s announcement of national funding rates, while avoiding the Christmas period, to ensure that providers were able to consider the local approach with full sight of confirmed funding levels. The Department for Education confirmed the national funding formulae and hourly rates for local authorities for the 2026–27 financial year on 15 December 2025, alongside the expectation that local authorities would pass through a minimum of 97 per cent of this funding to providers.

For 2026–27, the Council had proposed to maintain stability in the Early Years Single Funding Formula by keeping the current structure unchanged. This included retaining the existing universal base rate and deprivation supplement, with no alterations to eligibility criteria or rates. Any additional funding received from the Department for Education would be fully passed on to providers through increases in the universal base hourly rates. The Special Educational Needs Inclusion Fund also remained unchanged, with no amendments to existing rates or processes. In line with national regulations, the Council would retain the maximum 3 per cent of the Early Years Single Funding Formula to fund central services necessary to administer and support the delivery of the early years entitlements.

On 12 January 2026, the Early Years Single Funding Formula consultation paper and online link for responses had been emailed to 270 childcare providers registered for early education funding within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. The deadline for responses was 25 January 2026, and 20 per cent of providers engaged with the consultation. Overall, providers were supportive of the proposal for the 2026–27 Early Years Single Funding Formula, and the consultation response was summarised at Appendix A.

A question was raised regarding the purpose of the 3 per cent retention, and it was clarified that this supported administrative functions, including eligibility checking, marketing of entitlements and SEND inclusion processes.

There were no further questions.

RESOLVED that:

1. Schools Forum recommended the proposal for the 2026–27 Early Years Single Funding Formula to the BCP Corporate Director for Children’s Services.
2. Schools Forum agreed the central retention of 3 per cent to support council costs associated with the delivery of the free early years entitlements.

This report provides proposals for maintained schools only:

·     The central retention of services where the LA retains a statutory duty to undertake activity to support maintained schools only (both mainstream and specialist).

·     De-delegation of services applicable only to mainstream schools. These are services where schools retain the statutory duties, but better efficiency could be achieved through central delivery by the LA.

The Head of School Planning and Admissions presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and appears as Appendix ‘B’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Schools Forum was advised that the report had provided proposals for maintained schools in relation to the central retention of services where the Local Authority retained a statutory duty to undertake activity to support maintained schools, including both mainstream and specialist settings. The report also set out proposals for the de‑delegation of services applicable to maintained mainstream schools, where schools retained the statutory duties, but greater efficiency could be achieved through central delivery by the Local Authority.

Members were informed that consultation had been undertaken with maintained schools and that responses had shown overall support for the proposals.

During discussion, a question was raised regarding the human resources element of the central retention. It was clarified that this related to statutory responsibilities for terms and conditions of staff, rather than the provision of traded human resources or payroll services.

The Chair confirmed that voting on this item applied to maintained school members only.

RESOLVED that (maintained school members only):

• Schools Forum agreed collectively the retention rates per pupil and budgets for Local Authority duties supporting maintained schools, as set out in the report.
• Schools Forum agreed separately, for primary and secondary schools, the de‑delegation of funding for school improvement duties, as described in the report.

The BCP Scheme has been updated to reflect the latest statutory guidance and proposed local financial arrangements.  A short consultation has been undertaken with maintained schools.

The Management Accountant presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and appears as Appendix ‘C’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Schools Forum was advised that the BCP Scheme had been updated to reflect the latest statutory guidance and proposed local financial arrangements. A short consultation had been undertaken with maintained schools.

Members were informed that consultation responses had not raised any objections or proposed amendments. One request had been received to amend the timing of budget share payments where the 28th fell on a weekend, and this had been incorporated into the Scheme.

It was also noted that the updates included minor amendments to reflect current practice, including the removal of references to outdated legislation and clarification of arrangements relating to procurement and insurance, including the Department for Education Risk Protection Arrangements.

There were no further questions.

RESOLVED that (maintained school members only):

• The Scheme for Financing Maintained Schools 2026/27 be agreed by maintained school representatives.

To consider and note the Forward Plan

The Forward Plan was noted.

Members were advised that the next meeting would take place on 22 June 2026. The Chair also noted that feedback had been sought from Members on meeting formats, including hybrid arrangements, and that this would be reviewed outside of the meeting.

The Clerk to circulate the meeting link for the June meeting. ACTION

·       22 June 2026

The Forum noted the future meeting date as follows:

• 22 June 2026

To consider any other business, which, in the opinion of the Chairman, is of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration.

There was no further business on this occasion. The Chair thanked Members and officers for their contributions.