Agenda item

          The Forum considered a report by Mr Ian Burbidge, Head of Finance, Schools, with information on the latest position of the 2015/16 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) settlements and budget and explained that following the Forum’s meeting on 7^th July 2015, the report addressed (a) an update on the central equal pay liability, (b) an update on the Notional SEN changes that were introduced in April, (c) Early Years update, (d) Pupil Growth Policy, (e) feedback from the SENRAP modelling pilot, (f) an update on the Special Resource Provision (SRP) review, (g) an update on the general Special Educational Needs (SEN) strategy, (h) an update on the SEN forecasting model, (i) Trade Union Release Time, and (j) an F40 funding group update.  He further advised that the report then highlighted items to be considered by members as part of the 2016/17 budget setting process.

         Members noted the following points:

• Financial pressure under which the early years setting was operating in.
• Consultation being conducted by Gareth Cheal, Strategic Planning Manager, with various stakeholders to review the pupil growth policy.
• Special Educational Needs Resources and Assessment Panel (SENRAP) moderation of bandings.
• The extra School Forum  meeting to be held on 1^st December 2015 to review a report by the SRP (Special Resource Provision ) Review Task Group regarding special resource provision funding.
• On-going work to forecast future SEN provision in secondary schools.  This had indicated future pressure over the next five years.
• Annual review of Trade Union release time and the request for members to discuss at the headteachers associations within the various sectors to enable members to vote at the next meeting of the Schools Forum.
• An update on the F40 fairer funding campaign.
• Proposals to increase the Dedicated Schools Grant reserves would be submitted at the next meeting of the Forum.

          Resolved: (1) That the Schools Forum:

          (1) Notes that £0.031m of central funding was being retained to meet central equal pay liabilities and that repayment proposals would be brought to a future Schools Forum for discussion.

          (2) Notes the impact that the funding changes would have had on the 2014/15 notional SEN funding.

          (3) Notes that where a claw-back of funding is required schools will be contacted by the Local Authority (LA).

          (4) Notes the current position regarding the take up of early years’ places.

          (5) Notes that the budget for 2016/17 will need to be reviewed in light of the increasing numbers of students taking up early years’ provision.

          (6) Notes the potential impact on the number of early years places required following the Governments’ announcement increasing early years’ entitlement from 15 to 30 hours.

          (7) Notes the contents of the letter received from the Early Years Representative.

          (8) Notes the proposed time table to review the trigger funding policy to accommodate situations outside the current policy.

          (9) Notes the changes to the funding applications made to the Special Educational Needs Resource and Assessment Panel (SENRAP).

          (10) Agrees to the principles of universal banding model.

          (11) Notes the date of the extra schools forum on the 1st December.

          (12) Notes the contents of the Specialist Provision for Special Educational Needs in Swindon report.

          (13) Notes the work being undertaken to model SEN secondary school requirements.

          (14) Discusses the union letter with their head teacher associations so that forum can vote on this issue in January.

          (15) Further to (14) above, members were requested to invite union members to their head teacher associations to discuss trade union release time.

          (16) Notes the minutes of the F40 meeting with the DfE.

          (17) Notes that there is a need to increase the value of the DSG reserves as part of the 2016/17 budget setting process.

          (18) Notes that as part of the 2016/17 budget setting process the £500k reduction in DSG funding for 6th forms will need to be addressed.