Agenda item

The report of Marie Taylor (Interim Head of Finance) seeks to update Schools Forum on issues related to the high needs block for 2019-20 and the decisions that will need to be made as part of the budget setting process for 2019-20. 

Prior to the consideration of this report Schools Forum members were informed that confidential information was to be shared with them and that it was advised that the budget discussions should from this point of the meeting be considered under Part II.

The Forum were in agreement that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda items 10f and 10g and duly

Resolved:

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in Minute Numbers 10f and 10g because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Marie Taylor (Interim Head of Finance) referred to the report which sought to update Schools Forum on issues relating to the High Needs block budget for 2019/20 and the decisions that would need to be made as part of the budget setting process.  Marie highlighted the following:

·       A recommendation that had been agreed by the Director of Finance – to be put forward for approval by Cabinet which would seek to put in place part of the recovery plan for the High Needs block pressures;

·       The projected demand on the High Needs block as shown in paragraph 4 on page 83 of the Agenda.  As raised earlier in the meeting it was now proposed that the Growth Fund be set at £1 million which meant that £1.2 million would be available through the Schools block and if agreed, could be available to transfer to the High Needs block;

·       The estimates of the shortfall were based on a number of assumptions which were explained to the Forum.  At the December meeting of the Forum, the use of the “Little Extras” funding had been discussed as an option for funding the shortfall, but as the capital contributions had now been released it was more than anticipated and so this option would not be pursued;

·       A movement of funding from Schools block was to be proposed and as agreed at the December meeting of Schools Forum a disapplication request to agree a transfer of 1% has been made to the Secretary of State.  The Local Authority is now proposing that a transfer of 0.8% be made which would allow high needs funding to be made available in 2019/20 whilst the SEN consultant works with schools and the Local Authority to model options;

·       At the Forum’s December meeting it was felt that it was all doom and gloom, but Officers have now been able to model up scenarios and feel there is a way forward by utilising the transfers from Central and Schools blocks and electing not to fund the Early Years Inclusion Funding, together with the additional monies from the Secretary of State.  It was suggested that these are shared with Forum members to allow them to see the impact of the proposals.

Resolved:

That Schools Forum note the report and make the required decisions to the schools High Needs budget for 2019/20 later in the meeting when all information had been received.

The Chairman agreed a brief adjournment at 4.00pm to allow Forum members to take a comfort break and to discuss budget proposals with colleagues prior the meeting reconvening.

The meeting reconvened at 4.10pm.