Agenda item

The report prepared by Grant Davis (Schools Strategic Financial Support Manager) seeks to update Schools Forum regarding the Split Site Allowance for schools in Wiltshire.

Grant Davis (Schools Strategic Financial Support Manager) referred to the report which sought to update Schools Forum on the split site allowance for schools in Wiltshire.  Grant highlighted the following:

·       The use of a split site allowance for mainstream schools was an optional factor and was used to support a single school operating over two separate sites;

·       The current criteria for schools in receipt of a split site allowance was agreed by Schools Forum in December 2017;

·       There were currently 6 primary and no secondaries operating over a split site in Wiltshire;

·       The current level of funding was set at £65,000 for primary and £100,000 for secondary schools.  Following the introduction of the NFF the differentiation between primary and secondary lump sum allowances was removed with both being funded at £110,000;

·       The difference between the split site allowance and the lump sum for primary schools used to be £20,000 (£85k lump sum and £65k split site allowance). The split site funding equated to 76.5% of the lump sum;

·       Following the introduction of the NFF, the lump sum increased to £110,000 and the difference between the lump sum and split site allowance increased to £45,000 (for 2021-22 will be £52,800 less than the lump sum). Aligning the split site allowance to the lump sum, based upon the NFF lump sum for 2021-22, would increase the split site allowance to £90,000. Keeping the split site allowance aligned to the lump sum would ensure that the allowance keeps apace with NFF movements;

·       The difference between the lump sum and the split site allowance acts as a disincentive to small schools when considering their future structuring options as the loss of the lump sum overshadows the additional split site funding which would be received

·       The DfE fund Wiltshire on the basis of the funding awarded to schools so the impact of uplifting the split site allowance has a neutral impact upon Wiltshire’s funding;

·       The approach of other LA’s varied and some applied a model of a basic lump sum and an amount per pupil put this was more complicated and did not necessarily reflect the true additional costs;

·       Schools Forum were being asked to consider retaining the status quo or agreeing to align the split site allowances at 76.5% of the lump sum value.

A Special School Governor representative asked what this meant for Special Schools, especially as the new North Wiltshire School was spread over 3 sites.  Grant Davis reported that this allowance was only in relation to mainstream schools and they were not able to give out a split site allowance for special schools.  Instead, a top-up rate which reflects the additional costs of the school is applied.

The diocesan representative felt that this was a positive step and his view was that the Forum should support the increase to 76.5% allowance as the schools affected are small rural schools that do have cost pressures and as reported earlier this would be funded and so it was a neutral cost implication for the LA.

The Chair reported that this conclusion was echoed by the Members at the School Funding Working Group and he felt that it was important to follow the sentiments of that group and agree to align the split site allowance to the lump sum value.

Resolved:

That Schools Forum agree to align the split site allowances at 76.5% of the lump sum value.