Agenda item

            The Forum considered a report by Mr Ian Burbidge, Head of Finance, Schools, that included information on the latest position of the 2016/17 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) settlements and budget.  He explained that following the Forum’s meeting on12th January 2016, the report addressed (a) an update on the Early Years 30 hours implementation and its implications, (b) an update on the pupil growth & trigger funding policy, (c) the additional trigger and growth funding for 2016/17, (d) the potential future growth places and costs, (e) an update on the notional Special Educational Needs top-up funding, (f) the tuition  service review, (g) the new Special Schools Primary provision, (h) the potential free school bids affecting Swindon, (i) the impact of the apprenticeship levy on schools in Swindon, and (j) the review to be undertaken of the Financial Regulations applicable to maintained schools. 

          Mr Burbidge and Mr Peter Nathan, Head of Education responded to members’ queries regarding:

·        The differential pre-opening start-up funding allocation between the various school sectors. Members noted that pre-opening set-up costs would be reviewed following the opening of Crowdy’s Hill School.

·        A member of the Forum advised that expenditure on pupil growth funding for secondary schools could be avoided as there were currently places available in some secondary schools.

·        The anticipated financial impact of the increase of SENRAP provision relating to the increase in Early Years provision from 15 hours to 30 hours from 2017.  

·        Acknowledgment that quality assurance was an important element when reviewing future provision by the Tuition Services.

·        The number of Free School bids received, progress made on the applications, reference to one form entry schools and the effect on schools if any of the bids were unsuccessful.

            Resolved: That the School Forum notes:

          (a) The current arrangement for the 30 hours Early Years implementation.

          (b) The forecasts of required pupil growth funding that will need to be considered as part of future budget setting processes.

          (c) That officers have reviewed Notional SEN funding in other local authorities.

          (d) That officers will recommend that subject to modelling results all mainstream High Needs funded pupils will be included in future calculations and some element of AWPU (age weighted pupil unit) funding will be taken into account when calculating the Notional SEN budget.

          (e) That officers will consult with the various Associations and present modelling outcomes for discussion at the October 2016 meeting of the Forum.

          (f) The current state of the Tuition Service review.

          (g) That the Local Authority intends to open a new specialist primary provision at Crowdy’s Hill Special School from September 2016.

          (h) That Swindon has been selected to implement the 30 hours of Early Years provision.

          (i) The current status of the free school bids that have been submitted to the Education Funding Agency to provide new free schools in Swindon.

          (j) The potential impact of the apprenticeship levy on schools in Swindon.

          (k) That the Local Authority will undertake a review of the Financial Regulations applicable to maintained schools.

          (l) That Members be requested to cascade information on the apprenticeship levy on schools to all the School Associations.   

          (m) That the School Forum approves the growth and trigger funding policy as detailed at 3.17 of the report.   

          (n) That the School Forum notes the trigger funding budget will overspend by £115k as result of the need for additional reception places in North Swindon.