Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

Julia Cramp - Service Director, Commissioning and Performance

Mrs Ann Ferries – WGA, Primary Governor Representative

Mrs Jane Franchi – Salisbury Diocese

Tim Gilson – WASSH, Malmesbury School

Ted Hatala

Dr Tina Pagett – 14-19 Group Representative

Liz Williams, Head of Finance gave a detailed presentation about the Schools Funding Reform.

The need for a piece of work to identify the additional costs of split sites within the allowable formula factors was confirmed. Concerns were raised over the use of FSM as the allowable formula factor in deprivation given the number of service school pupils and it was agreed that both FSM and IDACI should be modelled.

The impact of the funding reform on the current consultation on delegation of SEN Support Services was discussed. It was agreed that all consultation on delegation of services should be absorbed within the consultation on funding reform.

It was acknowledged that there were wider implications to the reform and a need to have a Schools Forum representative on the project board.

Liz Williams, Head of Finance outlined the report included in the agenda.

During the debate that followed it was agreed that in appendix 1 The Primary SEN – Exceptional SEN Element and Primary SEN – pupil element should be mapped to the low cost/high incidence SEN formula.

Members were unable to decide how the budgets in Appendix 2 should be incorporated into the formula for 2013/14 and it was agreed that more options were needed to consider this following the modelling work.

The forum gave its thanks to Liz Williams and noted the tight timescales involved. It was agreed that schools should be notified immediately about the upcoming consultation.

Resolved:

a.    To confirm the mapping exercise has been carried out as a starting point for modelling, but could be subject to change as the work progressed.

b.    To confirm the principles in the report (paragraph 17) as a starting point that will be applied to the modelling of the new formula, subject to change after modelling.

c.    To note the Early Years Reference group would be considering the required changes to the Early Years Single Finding Formula and reporting back to the June Schools Forum meeting.

d.    To agree to bring the proposal for the composition of the Schools Forum to the June meeting.

e.    To agree the proposed timescales for the formula review and consultation with schools.

f.     To agree the establishment of two time limited working groups to work on the detailed formula proposals and make proposals to both the School Funding Working Group and SEN Working Group in order that proposals for the revised formula can be considered at the June Schools Forum meeting.

Liz Williams, Head of Finance outlined the report and introduced an updated consultation response form, which was circulated at the meeting and is attached to these minutes.

In responding to questions she pointed out that some questions were very difficult to comment on before modelling had been completed.

Resolved:

To send the response subject to the following amendments:

Response to question 15:

·         Add Wiltshire’s position to paragraph 1 – National Funding Formula

·         Add figures to paragraph 2 – Pupils from service Families

·         Add concerns over Young Peoples Support Service to paragraph 3 – High Needs Pupils

·         Add the support of the Wiltshire Governors Association to paragraph 5 – Schools Forum

·         Ask for clarification on the timescale for Schools Forum changes

Any other items of business, which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.