Agenda and minutes

The Forum noted apologies from the Chair, who had been required to test for Covid-19 and from Councillor James Baillie and Anne Downie.

Minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2021, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Forum meeting on 15 September 2021 be approved and signed as a correct record with minor amendments. 

The Forum noted the attendance of PK MacBride; that Maria Smyth was the Forum’s representative for the Special Needs and not an observer and that Rob Sanders was present as a representative of the Winchester Diocese for these meetings.

To consider matters raised in a  briefing paper detailing the standard financial items including:

·  DSG( Dedicated Schools Grant)  Allocations for 2022-23;

·  PFI ( Private Finance Initiative) Funding and MFG (Minimum Funding Guarantee)  2022-23;

·  Trade Union funding;

·  Central in-year Growth Funding 2021/22; and

·  Scheme for Financing Schools.

The forum considered the following items as set out within the briefing paper.

DSG Allocations for 2022-23

The Forum noted the that the current APT (Authority Proforma Tool) model (based on the October 2020 census ) gives a school’s block budget of £163,807k of which £68,879k is academy recoupment. These amounts are scheduled to be updated in December with data from the October 2021 census details

PFI (Private Finance Initiative)  Funding and MFG (Minimum funding guarantee) 2022-23

The Forum considered that the City’s 3 PFI secondary schools with additional PFI premises costs of £738k and that under NFF (National Funding Formula) these costs are not protected in the MFG calculation. As in previous years we will need to insert a technical adjustment in the APT (Authority Proforma Tool) model to disapply PFI costs in order that the PFI schools benefit from MFG protection like every other school.

It was noted that compensating 0.4% correction on average to other school balances (including academies) would be required to fund the adjustment.

Upon being put to the vote the Forum approved a technical adjustment relating to PFI costs for use in the MFG calculation from maintained and academy schools.

Trade Union funding

The Forum considered a proposal from officers for maintained primary schools to allow the budget share to be reduced (de-delegation) for trade union fees.

Officers explained that in previous years Schools Forum had agreed the allocation of this funding it should consider whether it would do so on this occasion and these funds were used to compensate schools for the periods when there was the additional expense of covering teaching time whilst representative undertook union activities.  It was explained that as fund had accumulated a healthy surplus from the average amount of annual expenditure and that the Forum could choose to de-delegate the funding this year, as the amount of balance the fund had accrued would be sufficient for a year or so of costs. Officers therefore proposed that no de-delegation is made for 2022-23.

Representation for union representatives was received who outlined potential additional costs that would be required.  Forum members expressed a wish to further investigate this matter requested that a working group be formed to fully explore issues of de-delegation of funding to Trade Unions and agreed to defer any decision until the matter returned.

Central in-year Growth Funding 2021/22

The Forum noted that a central allowance for growth funding from the 2022/23 Schools Block allocation would be needed for identified growth in schools (maintained and academy) above operational PAN (Published Admission Number) identified from the October 2021 census, that met the eligibility criteria in our growth funding policy. It was explained that due to lagged funding, this would be required to fund the additional pupils for the period September 2021 to March 2022 for maintained school and the September 2021/2022 academic year for academies.

It was explained that the DFE guidance set out that the amount that would be top sliced  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Remaining dates Schools Forum dates for the academic year 2021/22:

Wednesday 19 January 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 23 March 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 15 June 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 13 July 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Proposed dates for the academic year 2022/23

Wednesday 14 September 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 16 November 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 18 January 2023, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 22 March 2023, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 14 June 2023, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 12 July 2023, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

The forum noted the future dates of the forum and those proposed dates for the forthcoming academic year 2022/2023.  It was noted that the November 2022 date would be amended to avoid any clashes with Full Council meetings to enable the Cabinet Member to attend.

The Forum therefore noted the:

Remaining dates Schools Forum dates for the academic year 2021/22:

Wednesday 19 January 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 23 March 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 15 June 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 13 July 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

And dates for the academic year 2022/23

Wednesday 14 September 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday  23 November 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 18 January 2023, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 22 March 2023, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 14 June 2023, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

Wednesday 12 July 2023, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Wednesday 19 January 2022, meet at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start

The Forum received a verbal update from Tammy Marks the City Council’s Service Manager - Special Educational Needs and Disability detailing a new pilot project for High Level Special Needs.  It was explained that Hampshire had undertaken a similar scheme and that the pilot would look to providing a continuity of support for post 16 children and hopefully provide a saving in the long run.