Agenda item

       The Forum considered a report by the Group Director Children, as presented by Ian Bickerton (Director of Local Provision) setting out the proposals of the Schools Forum Sub Group (the Sub Group) in respect of amendments to the Swindon Scheme of Delegation, Finance Regulations for Schools and the Swindon Funding Formula 2008-2011 and advising of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) requirements in respect of funding for 2008-2011 which are not the subject of consultation.

       Members considered each of the proposals, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, and agreed all the recommendations with the exception of:

·        Proposal 10 – Concerns were raised about the effect inaccurate free

school meal data had on the proposal. Steve Flavin (Secondary Headteacher) pointed out that the PLASC data used only provided information on the number of free school meals taken up, not the number of pupils who were actually eligible, which could be a lot higher. Geoff Hogg (Director Early Years and Pupil Services) explained that parents were being encouraged to register their eligibility, even if meals weren’t taken, and this information was also being collected. He acknowledged that it might be possible to combine the two strands of information to reflect the situation more accurately but it would be necessary to ensure there was no duplication within the figures and that there was a clear audit trail. The Group Director made it clear that she supported a fair allocation under the formula to all schools for children in socio-economically disadvantaged circumstances.

·        Proposal 18 – In the light of funding issues considered elsewhere on

the agenda, it was felt that the sub-group should reconsider this proposal and include a decrease in numbers within the proposal.

       Resolved – (1) That the Forum recommends to the Local Authority that the proposals of the Sub Group, set out in Appendix A to the report, are implemented from 1^st April 2008 to 31^st March 2011.

(2) That, with regard to Proposal 10 set out in Appendix A to the report, the method of allocating funding be endorsed in principle but that the Sub-Group reconsider the proposal with regards to (a) allocating headroom funding to support the allocation, and (b) the pressures on headroom funds.

(3) That, with regard to Proposal 18 set out in Appendix A to the report, the Sub-Group reconsider the proposal to include a decrease in numbers within the recommendation.

(4) That the proposals of the Sub Group relating to the Swindon Scheme of Delegation be approved.

(5) That the requirements of the DCSF in respect of School, Early Years and 14-16 Funding for 2008-2011 be noted.

(6) That the Sub-Group carry out a review of the Forum’s membership, with the revised membership to be in place from 1^st April 2008.

(7) That the potential funding implications of the proposals as shown in appendix A, annexes 1, 2 and 3 are based on the current schools data be noted.

(8) That the Forum agrees that the proposals from the Schools Forum Sub Group are considered alongside other priorities within the dedicated schools grant at the Schools Forum meeting 22^nd January 2008.