The City Solicitor will report apologies and the names of alternate Members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed Members.

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.

Declarations were received as a potential interest from Helen Williams and Ian Morrel, for agenda item 7 “Secondary Phase De-Delegation for Maternity Scheme Costs”.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2017 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

The Business Advisor (Schools) reported on progress made on “Action” items as follows:

·         Item 253 Matters Raised by Schools (page 4): The matter raised by Bingley Grammar School is presented on the agenda. The matter raised by the CEO of BDAT is being taken forward. An initial report about the position of de-delegated funds, including benchmarking, will be presented to the Forum at the next meeting.

·         Item 256 Schools Forum Membership (page 5): The agreed composition is being worked towards and further action will be taken this term to establish the Forum as agreed and refresh memberships.

·         Item 257 Oastler School (page 6): The Forum’s recommendation is on the Executive’s work plan for its beginning of November meeting.

·         Item 258 DSG Update (page 7): The request for further information on significant value grants being allocated into the District will be presented to a future meeting.

·         Item 259 SEND Matters (page 8): An update on the SEND review is included in this meeting’s agenda.

·         Item 260 Schools Outturn Balances (page 9): The Authority is continuing to have discussions outside the Schools Forum on the financial position of Hanson School.

·         Change of date July 2018 meeting: Following the request made at the last meeting, the July 2018 Schools Forum meeting has been re-scheduled for 11 July.

Other Matters Arising

·         Early Years – Starters and leavers: The Business Advisor (Schools) explained that a fuller update will be provided with the consultation / report regarding EYSFF arrangements at the next meeting. The move to ‘starters and leavers’ based counting arrangements, aligned with the 30 hours offer, is now not planned to begin until 1 April 2018. The movement to this approach will be formally consulted on within the EYSFF 2018/19 consultation.

·         Alternative Provision – Adjustment to the formulaic basis for funding top up for placement of pupils in AP provisions that do not have EHCPs: The Business Advisor (Schools) asked Members to recall that, within the option 4 methodology for balancing the 2017/18 DSG allocation, agreed back in January 2017, was the adjustment of the formulaic method for funding top up in AP provisions from September 2017; from a 50% Range 4D + 50% Range 5 method to 75% Range 4D + 25% Range 5. The purposes of this were 2 fold a) the achievement of a balanced DSG by sharing the savings across a number of spending lines and b) signalling the intent to cease the ‘double funding’ of these placements at the beginning of the 2018/19 academic year, allowing settings notice to prepare for the direct collection of top up funding from commissioners that would be needed in the future. The Business Advisor explained that, following discussion with schools, the BACs and AP providers, the Authority has taken the view that this change should not be implemented at 1 September 2017 before the current holistic review is completed. However, the Authority still wishes to strongly signal that non-EHCP top up funding from the HNB, where the pupil remains on the roll of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 268.

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

No resolution was passed on this item.

There are no new allocations for consideration at this meeting. Proposed allocation to the secondary phase will be presented at the next meeting.

          (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

No resolution was passed on this item.

An update will be provided verbally on the Authority’s strategic review of SEND and Alternative Provision, following from presentation made to the 5 July 2017 Forum meeting.

Recommended –

Members are asked to consider and to note the update.

(Judith Kirk – 01274 439238)

An update was provided verbally, by the Strategic Manager SEND and the Early Years Strategic Manager, on the Authority’s strategic review of SEND and Alternative Provision, following from the presentation made to the 5 July 2017 Forum meeting.

The Strategic Manager SEND updated Members on the following:

·         At November, 112 additional specialist places will have been created this year and the development of interim places is on track. The biggest issue with the creation of interim places is the lack of capital budget.

·         The Authority awaits the DfE’s decision on wave 13 of free schools (where the Authority has bid for 2 new special schools).

·         A sponsor event is being held this week for the District’s new SEMH school. A site has now been located for this school, which has a September 2020 opening date. It is hoped that the sponsor and final details will be confirmed by March 2018.

·         A wider scope SEMH working group has been established to progress and complete a holistic review of the District’s alternative provision, looking at pressures and the respective roles of in school and out of school support and provisions. This group is also looking at the funding respective funding responsibilities of school delegated budgets and the High Needs Block.

·         The number of EHCPs in mainstream settings continues to increase and this is a key aspect of on-going discussions.

·         The District’s SEND conference, focusing on inclusive quality first teaching, was a success. The Authority has also re-convened the Senco Forums this term.

·         My Support Plan (early access to funding resource for children with SEND) continues to be rolled out.

·         An LGA Peer Review of the Authority’s SEND arrangements has just taken place. This review has identified areas of significant strength in Bradford as well as areas for further development and consideration. The report from this review will be available in about 3 weeks.

The Early Years Strategic Manager updated Members on the following:

·         The initial consultation period on the Authority’s SEND review ran until 31 August. As a result of the feedback received, including potential legal challenge from a national group, the Authority is currently reviewing some of the proposals with a view to issuing new consultation documentation and running this consultation, widely to include parents and national groups, for a further 3 months to the end of December 2017. The Authority is also keen to bring into this review what we now know about National Funding Formula.

·         The possible proposed implementation date for the review, subject to the outcomes of the consultation, is September 2018.

·         The delivery of the enhanced specialist places in early years settings is still being rolled out as originally set out.

Forum Members asked the following questions and made the following comments:

·         The representative of maintained special school headteachers confirmed that 128 new places in total have actually been created this year across all settings.

·         The Chair asked whether there was a delay or problem with wave 13 free schools. The Strategic Manager SEND responded that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 271.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document HQ, which provides detail on which the Schools Forum can further consider the matter raised on 5 July 2017 regarding the disproportionate cost to the maintained secondary phase in 2017/18 of de-delegated arrangements for the maternity costs scheme.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to consider and agree the action it wishes to take to resolve this matter.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document HQ, which provided detail to enable the Schools Forum to further consider the matter raised on 5 July 2017 regarding the disproportionate cost to the maintained secondary phase in 2017/18 of de-delegated arrangements for the maternity costs scheme.

The Business Advisor took Members through the options and the recommendation for option 2. Members did not ask any questions and did not raise any further points for discussion.

Resolved –

That maintained secondary schools be reimbursed using option 2 as set out in Document HQ.

ACTION: Business Advisor (Schools)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document HR, which provides an update on announcements on the implementation of the National Funding Formula. This update is provided in advance of the fuller announcement by the DfE, expected this month, which should enable more detailed consideration and for a fuller report to be presented to the School Forum at the October 2017 meeting. If the DfE’s fuller announcement is made in time, the Business Advisor will present more information to the meeting.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to note the information presented and to begin to consider the implications for the 2018/19 DSG budget planning round.

 (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document HR, which provided an update on announcements over the summer on the implementation of the National Funding Formula. The Business Advisor added to this report by presenting further information verbally on the Secretary of State’s announcement made on 14 September. He explained that the impact was still being worked through and that a fuller briefing note on the final National Funding Formula would be presented to the next Schools Forum meeting.

Members asked some questions on the specific aspects of the final NFF announcement, including the new minimum per pupil funding floors. The Business Advisors said that confirmation of the detail would be presented to the next meeting.

The Vice Chair stated that it will be helpful for a statement to be provided of the NFF parameters and key decisions that need to be taken in response, which will aid communication with colleagues.

A Member asked about the extent to which the final NFF settlement alters the previously forecasted continued erosion in the real terms value of education funding over the next 2 financial years. The Business Advisor promised to respond to this specifically at the next meeting. The representative of the teaching trades unions stated that there are clearly continuing significant pressures for schools within the NFF settlement, especially when this is to be managed in the context of the beginning of the release of pay restraint. An Academy Member stated that it is important for a view of the quantum of pressure that will need to be absorbed to be provided as soon as possible so that schools and academies can plan their budgets on this basis.

A Member asked how the Authority ensures that errors are not made given how complicated DSG formula funding arrangements have become. The Business Advisor responded by describing the checks and safety nets that are ‘in the system’ to ensure that the potential for mistakes is limited.

Resolved –

(1)  That the information contained in Document HR be noted.

(2)  That analysis is provided to the next meeting on the real terms pressures facing schools over the next 2 financial years.

ACTION: Business Advisor (Schools)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document HS, which outlines the draft working principles that are being considered for the development of Bradford’s formula funding arrangements for 2018/19. These principles are considered prior to the fuller announcements by the DfE on 2018/19 DSG arrangements and National Funding Formula, which are needed in order for Authority, with the Schools Forum, to clearly set out proposals for formula funding arrangements for the 2018/19 financial year. The Authority expects more formal consultation reports, for the Schools Block, Early Years Block and High Needs Block, to be presented to the Schools Forum at the next meeting, with these consultations being published immediately after. Following this timetable, responses to these consultations would be considered by the Forum at its December meeting. The Schools Forum will be required to make its final recommendations on 2018/19 DSG and formula funding arrangements at its January 2018 meeting.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to begin to consider the draft working principles and whether these are agreeable. Members are also asked to discuss how best to communicate as early as possible this term with schools and other providers, and collect feedback, about arrangements for 2018/19 (in advance of more formal consultation beginning in October).

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document HS, which outlines the draft working principles that are being considered for shaping the development of Bradford’s formula funding arrangements for 2018/19. This information is being presented to give Forum Members early informal sight of developing proposals and to enable Members to think about implications and how these are most effectively communicated.

The Business Advisor explained that the Authority is working to present to the Forum the more formal consultation reports, for the Schools Block, Early Years Block and High Needs Block, at the next meeting. It is recognised that this is slightly later than the timetable in previous years hence why informal communication is important at this stage.

Members agreed that it would be helpful to be able to consider the detail of the Schools Block primary and secondary formula funding proposals for 2018/19 before these are presented to the Forum on 18 October. Members requested that the Formula Funding Working Group is convened to give this opportunity.

Members also agreed that it would be helpful for the Business Advisor (Schools) to attend primary and secondary Headteacher meetings asap to being to communicate key messages.

Resolved –

(1)  That Schools Forum Members be invited to a ‘Formula Funding Working Group’ meeting in order to give Members the opportunity to consider the National Funding Formula and 2018/19 arrangements in more detail in advance of the next Schools Forum meeting.

(2)  That the Business Advisor (Schools) presents the key decisions, to be made on primary and secondary 2018/19 formula funding, to BPIP (at next week’s conference) and to secondary headteachers / CEOs (at a session to be organised by the Vice Chair). 

ACTION: Business Advisor (Schools)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document HT, which outlines the School Forum’s 2017/18 Academic Year work programme. Members are asked to note that, following the request made at the last meeting, that the July 2018 meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday 11 July 2018.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the proposed programme and to consider whether any additional items should be added at this stage.

 (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document HT, which outlined the School Forum’s 2017/18 Academic Year work programme. Members were asked to note that, following the request made at the last meeting, that the July 2018 meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday 11 July 2018.

Members did not ask any questions.

Resolved –

That the proposed programme be noted.

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

·         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 resolution was passed on this item.

No resolution was passed on this item.

Please see the published schedule of meetings – the next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 18 October 2017. Please note that the July 2018 meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday 11 July 2018.

(a) Denotes an item for action

(i)  Denotes an item for information

The next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 18 October 2017. Please note that the July 2018 meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday 11 July 2018.

FROM:           Parveen Akhtar (City Solicitor)

                        City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Contact: Asad Shah:  01274 432280

Committee Secretariat

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