Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from Kate Carter, Linda Duly, Luana Girling and Nadine Lapskas.

Schools Forum Members 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 received on this occasion. 

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 13 January 2022, as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2022 were agreed as a true and correct record.

Matter arising from the minutes:  the EHCP information had not been received by everyone.  It was explained that it was sent within an update but it would be resent.

The report considers the end of year position for the DSG budget 2021-22 at a net in-year deficit of £12.5 million.  This is against a budgeted deficit of £9.6 million.

The additional £2.9 million is largely the result of the high needs expenditure increasing further, including a £0.9 million provision for an ongoing legal case. In addition, there has been a net overspend on the early years funding formula of £0.4 million.

The accumulated deficit has grown as a result from £7.9 million to £20.3 million at March 2022, with this required to be carried forward and recovered from future DSG allocations.

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 received an update on the DSG financial position.  The report considered the end of year position for the DSG budget 2021-22 at a net in-year deficit of £12.5 million.  This is against a budgeted deficit of £9.6 million.

It was acknowledged that responses to central consultation was often quite low, so members were encouraged to read and participate as widely as possible.

RESOLVED that the Forum noted the contents of the report.

Voting: nem.con

This report provides an outline of the present challenges and the approach being developed to address these issues.

The number of Education, Health and Care Plans is continuing to increase and whilst there is evidence of increasing numbers within mainstream settings there is continued and increasing demands upon the budget.

BCP Council is progressing the implementation of new mainstream funding bands which will provide funding to meet more needs within mainstream schools as well reviewing the specialist support available to schools.

Work has commenced on developing funding bands across BCP Special Schools to harmonise funding arrangements and ensure there is sufficient resources to meet needs.

BCP Council received a Supplementary School Grant for Special Schools within the High Needs budget, and this is being distributed on a pro rate by commissioned place approach. The plan is to incorporate this within the Special School funding bands being developed.

The Head of Service, SEND, 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.

The report provided an outline of the present challenges and the approach being developed to address these issues.

RESOLVED that the Schools Forum noted the report.

Voting: Nem. Con.

The Business & Data Team Manager, Children & Young People, presented a verbal update.

It was advised that in April/ May 2022, new descriptors had been issued.  198 plans had been reviewed against the new descriptors and the financial modelling exercise was completed.  The new financial banding details had been taken to a meeting yesterday for agreeing.  Consultation would now be carried out between 27 June – 27 July 2022.  The consultation results will be reported at the September meeting of this Forum and at Full Council in October 2022. 

In response to a question regarding any impact this may have on budgets, it was explained that modelling exercises had been carried out and it would be cost neutral for the first year and £2m savings were expected by end of year three.  There was a lot of additional funding for mainstream schools, to cover costs. 

Members of the Forum were urged to participate in the consultation. 

RESOLVED that the Schools Forum noted the verbal report.

Voting: Nem. Con.

The Forum received a verbal update on the High Needs Sub-Group and discussed the needs to progress its work.

The Chairman advised that a piece of work has stopped because of a merging.  Aspects needed to be monitored, including the mainstream funding increase, it could have impact or no change.  It was suggested that an extraordinary meeting of this Forum be held on Tuesday 19 July, to allow a report to be presented and allow the information to be shared with Early Needs colleagues before the summer holidays. 

It was acknowledged that the High Needs Sub-Group needed a reboot, so the Chairman asked for representatives, including early needs colleagues.  September would be too late for that group to start work.  The Chairman advised that they would arrange meeting dates outside of the Forum and would feed back to the September meeting of this Forum. 

The following people volunteered to sit on the High Needs Sub-Group:

Sue Johnson 

Marie Lane 

Sean Preston 

Rina Mistry 

Geoff Cherrill

To consider and note the Forward Plan

The Chairman presented a forward plan, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Forum considered the Forward Plan and that an extraordinary meeting would be added for 19 July 2022, as discussed.

RESOLVED that the Schools Forum noted the Forward Plan.

Voting: Nem. Con.

To agree the date of the next Schools Forum meeting.

The next meeting would be held in September 2022.  Future dates were being worked out and would be circulated to the membership of the Forum when finalised. 

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

No other business was raised.