Agenda item

AL introduced the report which requested a decision in principle regarding the school funding formula in order to inform budget proposals.  Schools had been consulted on various aspects of the funding formula for 2023/24 and the results were presented on p.47 the report.  Following the consultation outcome and also discussions with the Finance Sub Group, the Local Authority proposed that the Forum:

a. Note the changes made to the formula by the ESFA

b. That the MFG be set at +0.0%

c. The transfer of 0.5% of the Schools Block to High Needs, to continue support Education Transformation Programmes such as Delivering Better Value (DBV) for SEND.

d. The lump sum be set at minimum allowed, £126,627 for both Primary and Secondary

e. That fund remaining after meeting mandated requirements be distributed to the AEN factors in line with consultation outcome

f. No bias of this distribution to either primary or secondary

g. Premises factors (NNDR, PFI, Split Sites) are appropriately funded, consistent with previous years

h. £2.0m be allocated to the Growth Fund

i. No re-establishment of a Falling Rolls fund 

DM confirmed that the autumn statement had referenced further funding with initial calculations based on the current funding formula suggesting a further £15m however, confirmation had not been received to date.

In response to the proposals SE reported that the Finance Sub Group had met to look at the issues and modelling in detail and the conclusions of the Sub Group were:

1. The Sub Group had discussed the levels of the MFG and supported a level of 0.0%.
2. The Sub Group highlighted that primary schools were struggling with budgets being faced with falling rolls and rising costs as well as national support staff pay increases.  The Sub Group proposed and supported a weighting to primary schools..
3. SE suggested that context be provided within the consultation in future re the £1.5m transfer.
4. CP highlighted that within the information provided to the sub group meeting, 35 of 126 schools were shown as nil contribution. 

DM confirmed in response that all schools contributed to the transfer and the figures indicated those schools compensated through the MFL.

SL reminded the Forum that the £1.5m schools block transfer was not offset against the deficit but helped provide funding and capacity within the transformation programme.

Schools Forum members supported the proposals and it was AGREED that the Schools Forum:

a. The changes made to the formula by the ESFA be noted.

b. That the MFG be set at +0.0%

c. The transfer of 0.5% of the Schools Block to High Needs, to continue support Education Transformation Programmes such as Delivering Better Value (DBV) for SEND.

d. The lump sum be set at minimum allowed, £126,627 for both Primary and Secondary

e. That fund remaining after meeting mandated requirements be distributed to the AEN factors in line with consultation outcome

f. No bias of this distribution to either primary or secondary

g. Premises factors (NNDR, PFI, Split Sites) are appropriately funded, consistent with previous years

h. £2.0m be allocated to the Growth Fund

i. No re-establishment of a Falling Rolls fund