Agenda

To receive any apologies for absence.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

To consider and note the Forward Plan

·       22 June 2026

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