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

Commenced 0810,

Adjourned     1000

                                                                                    Reconvened 1020,

Concluded    1150

PRESENT

SCHOOL & ACADEMIES MEMBERS

Ashley Reed, Brent Fitzpatrick, Dianne Richardson, Dominic Wall, Emma Hamer, Helen Williams, Ian Morrel, Kevin Holland, Mary Copeland, Nicky Kilvington, Nigel Cooper, Sally Stoker, Sue Haithwaite, Tahir Jamil, Trevor Loft, Wahid Zaman.

NOMINATED SUB SCHOOL MEMBER

Irene Docherty

NON SCHOOL MEMBERS

Donna Willoughby, Ian Murch

LOCAL AUTHORITY (LA) OFFICERS

Andrew Redding                  Business Advisor (Schools)

Angela Spencer-Brooke     Strategic Manager, SEND and Behaviour

Asad Shah                            Committee Services Officer

Dawn Haigh                         Principal Finance Officer (Schools)

Judith Kirk                             Deputy Director, Education, Employment and Skills

Michael Jameson                Strategic Director, Children’s Services

Raj Singh                              Business Advisor

Stuart McKinnon-Evans     Director of Finance

Susan Kuprinski                  Principal Finance Officer - Schools

OBSERVERS

Councillor Pollard

Councillor Ward

Lynn Murphy                        Business Manager, Feversham College

APOLOGIES

Alison Kaye, Gill Holland, Tehmina Hashmi, Sami Harzallah, Ray Tate

DIANNE RICHARDSON IN THE CHAIR

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.

294.    DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

      I.    Declarations were received from Dominic Wall, Emma Hamer, Ian Morrel and Trevor Loft for agenda item 6 “Send Review Consultation and Wider SEMH Review”, (minute 298).

    II.    During the course of the meeting, and in the interests of transparency, declarations were received from Helen Williams and Ian Murch agenda item 9 “Centrally Managed and De-Delegated Funds”, (minute 301).

ACTION:       City Solicitor

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2017 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

295.    MINUTES OF 6 DECEMBER 2017 & MATTERS ARISING

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

• Matters Raised by Schools (Item 281): That further conversations have taken place between the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and the Forum Member that raised the issue of DOCAS and that this matter was concluded (so far as there being nothing further for the Schools Forum to discuss). The Business Advisor reported that the requested report from the Headteacher of the Virtual School is scheduled to be presented to the Schools Forum in March. The Vice Chair asked that this report gives a clear statement of the impact of the Authority’s centrally management of the Pupil Premium Plus proportion it holds and also that the report includes some information on how Bradford Council’s approach compares with that of other authorities.

• 2017/18 DSG Spending Position and One Off Monies (Item 284): The Business Advisor referred Members to the additional report, included within the meeting pack, on the Growth Fund support for Beckfoot Upper Heaton Academy. Members did not ask any questions on this report.

• Consultation Outcomes – Funding High Needs 2018/19 (Item 288): This is picked up within the presentation under agenda item 6.

• Central Schools, Early Years and De-Delegated Schools Block Funds (Item 290): The Business Advisor explained that the requested benefit vs. cost analysis of DSG Trade Unions Facilities Time will be presented to the March Schools Forum meeting. The request for information on access to the primary behaviour centres is picked up under agenda item 6.

Resolved –

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

(2)       That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2017 be signed as a correct record.

ACTION:       City Solicitor

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

296.    MATTERS RAISED BY SCHOOLS

There were no matters raised by schools to report.

No resolution was passed on this item.

There are no new allocations for consideration at this meeting for 2017/18.

297.    STANDING ITEM - DSG GROWTH FUND ALLOCATIONS

There were no new allocations for 2017/18 for consideration at this meeting. 

No resolution was passed on this item.

A presentation will be given on the Authority’s consultation on the review of SEND provision, updating the Forum on the information / consultation presented in September 2017. An update on the Authority’s wider review of SEMH provision will also be provided. This presentation also responds to matters raised, and additional information requested, by the Forum at its meeting on 6 December. For reference, a copy of the report tabled at the Executive 9 January is included in the reports pack.

(Judith Kirk – 01274 439238)

The Deputy Director, Education, Employment and Schools and the Strategic Manager, SEND and Behaviour delivered a PowerPoint presentation, which provided an update on the SEND and SEMH reviews, the creation of places and the development of a single integrated pathway for the assessment and placement of children with EHCPs. The Deputy Director explained that the 2^nd stage of consultation on the SEND Review has just been launched, having been agreed by the Executive yesterday. For reference, a copy of the report tabled at the Executive was included in the reports pack. The presentation also responded to matters raised, and additional information requested, by the Forum at its meeting on 6 December 2017.

In responding to the presentation, Members made the following main comments and asked the following main questions:

• How is the High Needs Block now funded and how does the re-designation of 2 PRU provisions increase funding? The Business Advisor explained that there is a specific factor in the new National Funding Formula, which allocates £4,000 for every child occupying a special school place in October each year. Children recorded in PRUs are not eligible for this.
• How realistic an assumption is it to have this re-designation completed by October 2019? The SEND Strategic Manager stated that this is a realistic date by which to have achieved this.
• What is the planned opening date for the new SEMH School? The SEND Strategic Manager stated that this is likely to be September 2020.
• In researching the development of a primary phase local agreement for the transfer of funding as a result of permanent exclusion, the Authority should look closely at what happens in other authorities, especially regionally.
• How will the trading model for mainstream support service recognise that providers are diverse in nature (offering early years, post 16 and post 19 provision etc)?
• The Executive report states that any cost of redundancies resulting from the SEND review will be met by the High Needs Block. Can the Authority provide a figure for how much this might be?
• Is there a willingness on behalf of the Council to review its 2014 home to school transport reform so that the transport policy better support places creation?
• How is the Authority’s capital development plan now supporting both the creation of additional SEND places and the outcomes of the SEMH review?

The Vice Chair, having declared his interest, made a number of comments in response to the presentation on the SEMH review. He stressed the need to balance the requirement to secure the financial position of the High Needs Block going forward with the establishment of a framework / continuum that meets the needs of pupils effectively. He offered the view that establishing this continuum may cost more in the short term for longer term gain. He stated that it is not clear yet how the components of the continuum will line up, though the SEMH review is working to do this. The Authority and the Schools Forum need to effectively engage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 299.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document II, which updates members on the position of the Dedicated Schools Grant for the 2018/19 financial year. This is a main reference document for this meeting.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the information provided. This will inform decisions and recommendations to be taken under agenda item 11.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document II, which updated members on the position of the Dedicated Schools Grant for the 2018/19 financial year. This was a main reference document for this meeting.

The Business Advisor explained in detail the forecasted DSG position and highlighted for Forum Members the main changes, increases and reductions in income and expenditure contained within this. He also explained the Block ‘ring-fencing’ principles that have been employed. Referring to previous discussions about the targeted use of DSG reserves, the Business Advisor highlighted the proposal to use reserve within the Early Years Block to support the 3&4 year old funding rates. The Business Advisor, again referring to previous discussions, highlighted for Members the proposal to use the headroom within the new Central Schools Block to enable the transfer of currently High Needs Block funded activities (which can legitimately be charged to the Central Schools Block). He also highlighted the proposed transfer of funding responsibility for Early Years Inclusion fully into the Early Years Block. He emphasised that there is no proposed transfer of monies from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block in 2018/19. He also emphasised that the cost of business rates within the Schools Block for 2018/19 is currently estimated and includes a small contingency to ensure sufficient provision is made. The Business Advisor explained that the position of the High Needs Block is forecasted on a series of estimates and assumptions, including on the outcomes of the SEND and SEMH reviews.

A Member asked whether the structural overspend in the Early Years Block is something that should be dealt with now. The Business Advisor responded to explain the strategy for the limited and short term use of DSG reserve, which was set out initially in autumn 2016. He explained that there isn’t a structural issue at DSG level as when the reserves drop out (after 2019/20) the expenditure drops out too.

Resolved –

That the information contained in Document II be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present an analysis, Document IJ, which updates members on the value of one off funding available. This is a repeat of the information presented to the Forum on 6 December (and is provided for reference).

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the information provided. This will inform decisions and recommendations to be taken under agenda item 11.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented an analysis, Document IJ, which updated members on the value of one off funding available. He explained that this is purely a repeat of the information presented to the Forum on 6 December 2017 (and is provided for reference).

Members did not make any comments or ask any questions.

Resolved –

That the information contained in Document IJ be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document IK (Appendices 1,2 and 3), which sets out the position of the funding of Schools and Early Years Block central and de-delegated items from the DSG, to enable Members to make recommendations and decisions under agenda item 11. This information is updated on that presented in 6 December.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the information provided. This will inform decisions and recommendations to be taken under agenda item 11.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document IK (Appendices 1,2 and 3), which set out the position proposed for the funding of Schools, Central Schools and Early Years Block central and de-delegated items from the DSG. This information was updated on that presented in 6 December 2017 and in earlier meetings in the autumn term.

In presenting the reports, the Business Advisor set out for the Forum the decisions that needed to be taken across the Blocks, and highlighted 2 decisions in particular relating to de-delegated funds in the Schools Block; the position of de-delegation from the primary phase for ESBD support services after September 2018 and whether de-delegation should continue but for the purpose of providing a ‘safety net’ for the top up (Plus) funding for the primary behaviour centres; the value of de-delegation for Trade Union facilities Time, where it is proposed to retain de-delegation at current per pupil values pending the Forum’s consideration of the cost vs. benefit analysis to be presented in March. The Business Advisor also repeated his previous explanations of the proposed allocation of the new Central Schools Block and his warnings about the need to closely monitor the position (financial viability) of the maternity / paternity insurance scheme for nursery and primary schools going forward.

In response, the Member representing the Teacher Trades Unions, having declared his interest, repeated his statement made in previous meetings that the Trades Unions are very happy to engage with the Schools Forum on the cost vs. benefit analysis work. Referring to the explanation of the proposed Growth Fund, the Vice Chair asked for further information to be provided to the next meeting so that Members can better understand the relationships between the allocations of Growth Fund in year for the expansion of pre-16 places in secondary schools, and lagged post 16 funding, where these places are created through the closure of post 16 provisions. This may result in ‘hidden’ cost pressures on school budgets. The Member representing the Teacher Trades Unions asked for a statement to be provided also on how the Authority monitors compliance with post 16 participation legislation.

In responding to a question from the Strategic Director, Children’s Services about whether the headroom within the Central Schools Block could be invested in the Children’s Services change management programme, the Chair of the Forum stated that she felt she represented Forum Members in saying that the use of the headroom as proposed to support the pressures already present within the High Needs Block is the right way forward. A Member added that a critical barrier to the delivery of change is likely to be the identification of sufficient capital monies, which is a matter to resolve outside of the DSG.

Resolved –

That the information contained in Document IK be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document IL (Appendices 1 -5), which shows the indicative value of delegated allocations for individual schools, academies and other settings for the 2018/19 financial year and also shows the draft Primary and Secondary and Early Years Pro-formas. Please note that the allocations and the Pro-formas are subject to the final decisions and recommendations to be made by the Schools Forum under agenda item 11.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the information provided. This will inform decisions and recommendations to be taken under agenda item 11. 

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document IL (Appendices 1 - 5), which showed the indicative value of delegated allocations for individual schools, academies and other settings for the 2018/19 financial year and also showed the draft Primary and Secondary and Early Years Pro-formas. He explained that the allocations and the Pro-formas are subject to the final decisions and recommendations to be made by the Schools Forum under agenda item 11. The presentation of this information flowed from the discussion in the previous agenda item and therefore, the action items from the previous item are recorded below.

Referring to the notification from the Authority’s Census Team about possible software issues, a Members stated that schools should be reminded to check the accuracy of their FSM data to be recorded in the January 2018 Census,

Resolved –

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

(2)  That further consideration is given to the relationship between DSG Growth Funding and ESFA Post 16 funding, and the knock on financial implications, where secondary schools and academies close their Post 16 provisions and increase their pre-16 numbers. This is with particular reference to the difference between the lagged Post 16 funding methodology and the funding of pre-16 provision in ‘real time’.

(3)  That information is provided to the next meeting on the Local Authority’s monitoring framework in place to ensure compliance with the post 16 participation legislation. 

(4)  That schools and academies are reminded to check the accuracy of their ever 6 FSM data to be recorded within their January 2018 Census returns.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present Document IM (and Appendices 1-4), which summarises the decisions and recommendations that the Schools Forum is asked to make in setting the allocation of the DSG and final formula funding arrangements for the 2018/19 financial year. The Forum will be asked to take decisions / make recommendations on the items listed under the following main headings:

·         Schools and Early Years Block De-Delegated Items

·         Schools Block - Growth Fund Allocations

·         The Central Schools Block

·         The High Needs Block

·         The Allocation of Available One Off Monies

·         Early Years Formula Funding and Pro-Forma

·         Primary & Secondary Formula Funding and Pro-Forma

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to make final recommendations and decisions on the allocation of the 2018/19 DSG and the one off monies available.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented Document IM (and Appendices 1-4), which summarised the decisions and recommendations that the Schools Forum was asked to make in setting the allocation of the DSG and final formula funding arrangements for the 2018/19 financial year. The Forum was asked to take decisions / make recommendations on the items listed under the following main headings:

·         Schools and Early Years Block De-Delegated Items

·         Schools Block - Growth Fund Allocations

·         The Central Schools Block

·         The High Needs Block

·         The Allocation of Available One Off Monies

·         Early Years Formula Funding and Pro-Forma

·         Primary & Secondary Formula Funding and Pro-Forma

The Chair of the Forum asked the Strategic Director, Corporate Services (Section 151 Officer) for his appraisal of the DSG position for 2018/19 as set out, especially the currently forecasted deficit position of the High Needs Block. The Director responded that although ideally, and as has been the case in previous years, each Block would itself balance in year, the DSG overall remains in surplus in 2018/19, and that the basis of the budget allocation is sufficiently certain, with controls and monitoring processes in place. As such, he would advise that this is a safe basis on which to agree the 2018/19 DSG allocation.

A Member commented that this is the first time we have set the DSG budget on the basis of a deficit within the High Needs Block, and if we are unable at this stage to be more positive in our forecasting we must take note and act on this. He added that the structural change programmes in 2018 are critical and the Authority must put in place sufficient officer capacity and capital funding to successfully deliver these programmes.

Resolved –

1.         SCHOOLS & EARLY YEARS BLOCKS “DE-DELEGATED ITEMS” 2018/19

Document IK, Appendices 1 – 3.

Resolved –

1.1   Schools Members representing maintained schools agreed the values of de-delegated funds on a phase specific basis:

a)    ESBD School Support (Primary only): agreed to cease de-delegation at 31 August 2018 providing for a de-delegated fund for 5/12ths on the same £app basis as in 2017/18.

b)   School Re-Organisation Costs (Safeguarded Salaries) (Primary & Secondary): agreed to continue de-delegation from both the primary and secondary phases for the actual cost of continuing safeguarded salaries.

c)    School Re-Organisation Costs (Sponsored conversions budget deficits) (Primary only): agreed to de-delegate from the primary phase at the 2017/18 per pupil value. The Schools Forum to be provided with monitoring reports where this provision is used.

d)   Exceptional Costs & Schools in Financial Difficulty (Primary only): agreed to continue de-delegation from the primary phase at the 2017/18 per pupil value.

e)    Costs of FSM Eligibility Assessments (Primary & Secondary): agreed to continue de-delegation from both the primary and secondary phases at the 2017/18 per FSM values, with contributions taken using FSM Ever 6 data.

f)     Fisher Family Trust (Primary only): agreed to continue de-delegation from the primary phase, recovering the cash value to match cost. The secondary phase and all primary academies will be invited to subscribe  ...  view the full minutes text for item 304.

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

The Chair notified Members that the Strategic Manager, SEND and Behaviour is leaving the Authority. Members offered their thanks to her.

The Chair notified Members that the Strategic Director, Corporate Services, is also leaving the Authority. Members thanked him for his welcome input and advice over the last 6 years and wished him well for the future.

No resolution was passed on this item.

A provisional meeting has been planned (subject to this being needed to complete agenda item 11) to take place on Wednesday 17 January 2018.

The next substantive Forum meeting is planned for Wednesday 14 March 2018.

(a) Denotes an item for action

(i)  Denotes an item for information

The next meeting of the Schools Forum is Wednesday 17 March 2016.

FROM:            Parveen Akhtar (City Solicitor)

                        City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Contact Asad Shah:  01274 432280

Committee Secretariat

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