Agenda item

The report of Liz Williams (High Needs Block Sustainability Finance Lead) seeks to update on the draft Safety Valve plan and highlight the changes that were made, in response to Department for Education feedback, in advance of 12 January 2024 submission.  This version will now go forward for Secretary of State approval and to form the basis of a Safety Valve Deal for Wiltshire.

Liz Williams, Finance Lead – High Needs Block Sustainability, presented the report which updated the Schools Forum on the draft Safety Valve Plan and highlighted the changes that were made in response to Department for Education (DfE) feedback in advance of the 12 January 2024 submission to the Secretary of State for approval, and to form the basis of a Safety Valve Deal for Wiltshire. The following was then highlighted:

·       The main considerations for Members were detailed as per Paragraphs 8 to 18, with particular attention drawn to Paragraphs 9 and 11 which noted the updates to the unmitigated pupil number forecast to include the children and young people currently awaiting assessment, and the milestones that had been added to the plan to provide further assurance that it was deliverable.

·       As discussed in earlier Agenda Items, it was confirmed that a Disapplication Request had been submitted to the Secretary of State for a block transfer above 0.5% from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block.

·       It was further confirmed that a capital request to support the plan was also submitted on 5 January 2024 which was intended for the expansion of Special Schools places in the South of the County to directly contribute towards the delivery of Workstream 2.

·       Officers noted that it was expected that approval would be given for the plan in its final form following positive feedback from DfE advisers. Therefore, if approved, officers were anticipating that the Government would send a Safety Valve Deal for review and signature before April 2024.

·       The financial implications and risks that may arise if the proposed decisions were taken or not taken were listed as per Paragraphs 19 to 28. The significant financial risk and pressure that the forecast High Needs Block (HNB) deficit presented to the Council was again stressed and Members were reassured that given the ambitious nature of the plan, the Programme Team had commenced the first stages for the delivery of the plan immediately to ensure that key conversations were already happening before April 2024.

·       Finally, officers confirmed that further updates would come to future Schools Forum meetings as officers developed implementation plans. Therefore, Members should consider it as a standing item on the Schools Forum agenda for the foreseeable future.

In response to Member questions, officers confirmed that the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) was ringfenced at present but highlighted that this could change pending the approval of the Safety Valve Agreement, as Council contributions may be required. It was also emphasised that there was a HNB deficit across the Country which was estimated to be in the region of £3.6bn by March 2025. As such, there were many other Local Authorities experiencing high or increasing deficits and who were therefore implementing Safety Valve or Delivering Better Value Programmes to address and mitigate these issues. Accordingly, Wiltshire was not considered an outlier.

Members noted that they were pleased to see that the feedback received from the DfE for the draft submission of the plan was minor and constructive which they felt was a reflection of the dedication and commitment of Ms Williams and the other officers associated with the project; all were commended for their hard work.

Following which, it was:

Resolved:

The Schools Forum noted:

a.    The updates to the Dedicated Schools Grant Management Plan and the SEND Sustainability Plan.

b.    The submission of those documents to the Department for Education on 12 January 2024.

c.    The continued progress to reduce and remove the financial risk that the deficit in the High Needs Block represented.