Agenda and minutes

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th October 2014.

          Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th October 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

          The Head of Finance, Education, provided a report on the latest position of the 2014/15 retained Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget.  Ian Burbidge, Head of Finance, Education advised that the report reflected the projected year end position against the 2014/15 retained budgets based upon available information at the end of December 2014. 

          Mr Burbidge referred to reasons for the predicted underspend that would be carried forward as a balance to the 2015/16 budget.  Mr Paddy Bradley, Head of Economy, Skills and Property Development, responded to a query regarding the potential use of the forecast  underspend to top up the high needs funding.

          In response to a query on the possibility of allocating the underspend during the 2014/15 financial year based on the 2014/15 pupil numbers, Mrs Bev Pennekett, Education Funding Agency, confirmed that the regulations did not permit underspends to be allocated during the current financial year and that whilst it could be used to support high need pressures, it could only be distribute within the formula.

          Resolved: That the Schools Forum notes that based on the information available at the end of December 2015, an in-year underspend of £0.441m is projected against the 2014/15 retained Dedicated Schools Grant budget.

          The Forum considered a report by Ian Burbidge, Head of Finance, Education seeking the Forum’s approval of the Locality Authority’s proposals for local formula and fundingissues for 2015/16.  The report also asked the Forum to consider proposals on the level of expenditure that would be allocated to Early Years, Schools, Academies, High Needs setting and centrally retained budgets and to note the impact of these decisions on individual settings.

          Mr Paddy Bradley, Head of Economy, Skills and Property Development referred to the new format of presenting the Dedicated Schools Grant Settlement and Budget report and introduced Mr Ian Burbidge who guided members through key points in the report and commented on the significant applications.  He commented on the Dedicated Schools Grant Settlement for 2015 comprising of Early Years, Schools and High Needs blocks and explained that the first part of the report attempted to provide information on future settlements yet to be determined. The Forum considered each recommendation in turn and voted on each element of the funding formula and proposals. 

          Mr Bradley, Mr Burbidge and Ms Pennekett responded to questions and observations on the following issues:

·       Further to 3.16 of the report, evidence would be submitted by the Local Authority to the Minister for Schools on how SEN funding apportioned and utilised.

·       Reason for the difference between Education Funding Agency and Local Authority 2014/15 funding allocation figures for academies.  It was noted the profile was defined by the local formula and that some schools were adversely affected more than others.

·       A modelling exercise to be undertaken determining if any actions would need to be taken prior to funding allocation. 

·       Confirmation that de-delegation items had to be voted on annually.

·       Confirmation that maintained schools were able to vote collectively on de-delegation but academies had to vote individually.

          Resolved: That, with regards to the 2015/16 Dedicated Schools Grant Settlement, Schools Forum notes that:

          (1) Swindon expects to receive a total Dedicated Schools Grant settlement of £161.003m in 2015/16.

          (2) The Education Funding Agency would fund £0.510m for Uplands Post 16 places.

          (3) The estimated Dedicated Schools Grant balance at the end of 2014/15 was £1.154m

          (4) In total, £162.667m of Dedicated Schools Grant/ Education Funding Agency funding was available and next year’s spending proposals would need to be contained within this figure.

          (5) The early years block 2015/16 DSG settlement would be subject to revisions by Department for Education in light of Early Years census information in January 2016.

2015/16 Dedicated Schools Grant Funded Budget

That Schools Forum:

          (6) Agrees to the proposed 2015/16 early years funding rates as shown in Table 6 of the report that will take effect from 1st April 2015.

          (7) Approves a 2015/16 early years budget of £10.986m as shown in Table 6 of the report.

          (8) Notes the 2015/16 mainstream school funding allocations as shown at Annex A of £122.520m, supporting 29,303 pre 16 pupils.

          (9) Notes the Notional SEN funding top ups payable in 2015/16(Shown in Annex B) at a total  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.