To receive disclosures of interests from Members on matters to be considered at the meeting. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it only becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

There were no disclosures of interest.

That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 10 January 2024 be signed as a correct record.

(Asad Shah – 01274 432280)

The Business Advisor (Schools) reported on progress made on “Action” items from the 10 January meeting. He reported that:

·         Item 746 (DSG Growth Fund Allocations): The agreed allocations have been paid.

·         Item 747 (Early Years Consultation): The consultation was completed. An email was sent to Members at the beginning of February explaining this, and the outcomes. This is also included in Document RF, presented under agenda item 8.

·         Item 753 (Final Decisions and Formal Recommendations 2024/25 DSG): Further update on this is presented under agenda item 8. Following an amended timetable, the Council on 7 March will decide on the Forum’s recommendations on the 2024/25 DSG and formula funding arrangements. Our Schools Block APT return for 2024/25 was submitted to the ESFA well before the deadline. The Business Advisor reported that, at the Executive meeting that was held on 5 March, Cllr Khan expressed his thanks to the Schools Forum for its significant work in pulling together the 2024/25 Schools Budget.

Resolved –

(1)       That progress made on “Action” items and Matters Arising be noted.

(2)       That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2024 be signed as a correct record (with the amendment to correctly record apologies for one member).

Members will be asked to consider any issues raised by schools.

It was reported that no matters have been raised by schools. The Chair explained that a communication was received regarding the Council’s proposed closure of Ingleborough Hall. The communication asked whether the Schools Forum can help prevent the closure, including by allocating financial resources. The Chair reported to the Forum that we determined that, whilst schools and academies may have comments that they wish to feed into the Council’s consultation, this is a matter that is out of the School Forum’s scope and remit. The Strategic Director added that the Hall is protected by a number of covenants. She recognised that feelings on this proposal are strong. She emphasised that the proposal to sell is not a reflection on the value that the Council places on this provision or on the benefit of it but is the result of the Council’s financial position and the value of capital investment that is required (also that the Hall will need to be closed for an extended period for maintenance works).

No resolutions were passed on this item

There are no new allocations for 2023/24 presented to this meeting.        

No resolutions were passed on this item

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document RD, which provides an update for the Schools Forum on the application, in the 2023/24 financial year, of the Schools Block Falling Rolls Fund for mainstream primary phase-maintained schools and mainstream primary phase academies.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to note that, as set out in Document RD, and following the agreed established criteria, there are no allocations to be made from the Schools Block Falling Rolls Fund in 2023/24.

The Forum is asked to note that the sum of £500,000 is confirmed as unspent within the Schools Block and is carried forward into 2024/25 as a ring-fenced sum.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document RD, which provided an update for the Schools Forum on the application, in the 2023/24 financial year, of the Schools Block Falling Rolls Fund for mainstream primary phase-maintained schools and mainstream primary phase academies.

Forum members did not have any comments and did not ask any questions.

Resolved –

(1)       The Schools Forum noted that, as set out in Document RD and following the agreed established criteria, there are no allocations to be made from the Schools Block Falling Rolls Fund in 2023/24.

(2)       The Forum noted that the sum of £500,000 is confirmed as unspent within the Schools Block and is carried forward into 2024/25 as a ring-fenced sum.

LEAD:            Business Advisor, Schools

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document RE, which provides an update on a number of matters relating to the Dedicated Schools Grant.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to consider and to note the information provided in the report.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document RE, which provided an update on a number of matters relating to the Dedicated Schools Grant, including:

·         A reminder of the work that needs to be progressed relating to ‘mitigating action’ around our projected High Needs Block deficit. A reminder that we will shortly contact the ESFA on this issue and expect to get response, which will influence / define our workstreams and actions.

·         The outcomes of the Early Years consultation.

·         That the DfE has resolved the unfunded 4 weeks issue in the Early Years Block, meaning that we shouldn’t overspend the Early Years Block by the £1.2m assumed in the 2024/25 planned budget.

·         That we are likely to have amendments to make to our entitlement delivery counting arrangements in 2024/25 for the new entitlements, which we will need to work through once the DfE’s guidance has been published.

·         The changes that we already identify we will need to consider for our 2025/26 DSG and formula funding decision making cycle, as well as the changes that might come that we currently do not have sight of.

The Chair reminded the Forum of how challenging we have previously forecasted the next 2 years to be. Forum members did not have any comments and did not ask any questions.

Resolved –

That the information presented in Document RE be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document RF, which provides an update on matters concerning school and academy budgets. This includes an update on the position of the conversion of maintained schools to academy status and on the general forecasted position of school and academy budgets over the 2024-2027 3-year period.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to consider and to note the information provided in the report.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document RF, which provided an update on matters concerning school and academy budgets. This included an update on the position of the conversion of maintained schools to academy status and on the general forecasted position of school and academy budgets over the 2024-2027 3-year period.

Members did not have any comments and did not ask any questions.

Resolved –

That the information presented in Document RF be noted.

Updates on the following Forum standing items will be provided verbally where these have not been covered within other agenda items:

Schools Forum membership

·         Update from the High Needs Block Steering Group

·         Update from the Schools Financial Performance Group (SFPG)

·         Update on School / Academy Budgets

·         Update from the Early Years Working Group (EYWG)

·         Update from the Formula Funding Working Group (FFWG)

·         Update on Primary School Places

·         Update on Academies & Free Schools

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the information provided.

         (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

No resolutions were passed on this item.

Members will be asked for any additional items of business, for consideration at a future meeting.

The Forum expressed its thanks to Wahid Zaman, who is retiring from the Schools Forum after this meeting, for his significant input into the work of the Forum over many years.

No resolutions were passed on this item.

The next Forum meeting is planned for Wednesday 22 May 2024.

(a) Denotes an item for action (including where a formal view or recommendation is required).

(i)  Denotes an item for information.

Signposting of High Needs Information

As per the schedule presented on 14 October 2020, “Forum members are expected to access ‘outside of the Forum meetings’ wider SEND information that is presented to other groups and that is already published, including information presented to the SEND Partnership. The Authority will signpost this information (webpage links) for Forum members at the bottom of agendas.”

·         SEND Partnership Board (minutes of meetings):

https://localoffer.bradford.gov.uk/coproduction--feedback/send-strategic-partnership-board-

Please see the published schedule of meetings – the next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 22 May 2024 (to be held remotely).

Note:      These minutes are subject to approval as a correct record at the next meeting of the Forum.

THESE MINUTES HAVE BEEN PRODUCED, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, ON RECYCLED PAPER