Agenda item

This report sets out the outcome of the Schools and Early Years Funding consultations, and proposals for the BCP funding formulae and growth fund. The report also provides a proposal for reducing the projected High Needs budget gap, and requires approval for the Central School Services Block (CSSB) budgets and services to maintained schools and central budgets supporting the early years free entitlements.

Jack Cutler, Quality and Commissioning, BCP Council, presented the report followed by the outcomes of the 2 Consultations.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·         Projected funding gap on High Needs budget 2020-21 is £9.5m Any funding transfers in previous years were for one year only with the gap increasing over time.  

·         LA put £2.4m in last year but will not be able to do so this year; Schools transferred £2.2m and early years £0.2m with fresh decisions needed this year.

·         Primary and Secondary units of funding are based on last years’ school data. This amount is multiplied by new pupil numbers for October 2019 and will give us £1.8m surplus when applying October 2019 census data to the 2020-21 NFF funding rates and formula mechanisms. If we transfer the £1.8m to high needs we could still fund schools at full NFF formula rates.

·         The wording of questions in the Schools Consultation was very difficult and it was asked if language could be simplified in future. It was suggested that a group of headteachers should read them in advance next time.

·         The outcomes of the consultations were covered in considerable detail, with the level of support considered for each question asked in the consultation and a summary of responses provided. It was also indicated where responses to questions may be of benefit to Forum members when considering their position on the proposals to be voted on.

·         EY representatives expressed concern that due to Christmas holidays there was insufficient time to complete the EY consultation.

·         Requests for data on how much HN funding is going to EYs providers have been made but it was felt that no information had been received. NW advised that information was included in the paper she presented earlier and a breakdown had also been provided last year. Forum representatives were referred to Appendix 6 of the School Funding consultation and also the appendices of earlier meeting papers.

·         Sue Johnson and Linda Duly presented a paper on Early Years Funding proposing that there is no deduction from the EY block to help offset the HNB overspend.

 

Schools Forum members were asked to vote on the following proposals:

 

PROPOSAL:  Does Schools Forum agree to support the proposals recommended by Julian Radcliffe totalling £2.5m?

 

20 votes for and 0 against

 

PROPOSAL: Does Schools Forum support LA recommendation for £0.2m transfer from Early Years to High Needs Block?

 

18 voted against, 1 for and 1 abstention.

 

 

PROPOSAL: Does Forum support £1.8m transfer to High Needs Block from surplus NFF funding?

 

18 voted for and 2 against

 

 

PROPOSAL: Are Schools Forum in favour of an additional 0.5% transfer from Schools Block to High Needs Block?

 

14 votes against, 4 for and 2 abstentions

 

 

PROPOSAL: Does Schools Forum support an additional 1.1% transfer from National Funding Formula?

 

15 votes against.3 voted for, and 2 abstentions

 

PROPOSAL: Does Schools Forum support an enhanced £0.2m from PEX enhanced adjustment?

 

20 votes for.

 

PROPOSAL: Does Schools Forum support reduction to Outreach Services?

 

19 against and 1 abstention.

 

 

 

PROPOSAL: Does Forum support reduction to SALT services?

 

19 against and 1 abstention.

 

PROPOSAL:  Does Forum support reduction to the Central Hearing and Vision Support Service?

 

18 against and 2 abstentions

 

PROPOSAL: Does Forum support a reduction in top up payments by 30%?

 

20 voted against

 

PROPOSAL:  Schools Formula to indicate if they support LA in setting formula by starting on NFF and scaling back?

 

19 voted for and 1 abstention

 

 

PROPOSAL: Does Forum support growth proposal through Option 1?

 

20 votes for

 

PROPOSAL: Does Forum support growth that does not materialise at 30% of full growth?

 

13 voted for, 4 against and 3 abstentions

 

PROPOSAL: Does Forum agree the budget for the extrinsic growth fund (£499.670)?

 

12 abstentions and 8 voted for

 

PROPOSAL: Early Years contribution to central services supporting the free entitlements as set out in the report

 

19 voted for and 1 abstention

 

PROPOSAL: Central School Services Block budgets

 

20 votes for and 0 against

 

PROPOSAL: Maintained schools central retention rates and budgets

 

2 voted for and 2 voted against