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.

(1)       Brent Fitzpatrick, Dominic Wall, Ian Morrel, Sue Haithwaite and Trevor       Loft for agenda item 8 “SEMH and SEND Reviews – Progress Report”            (minute 414).

(2)       Dominic Wall, Sue Haithwaite and Ian Morrel for agenda item 10     “Report on PFI Costs in Schools” (minute 416).

ACTION:       City Solicitor

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2019 be signed
as a correct record (previously circulated).

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

·         Item 399 (minutes of 13 March Meeting) – The agreed amended Scheme for Financing Schools is now published. The Schools Forum meeting minutes are now scheduled to be published in draft within a week of the Forum meeting.

·         Item 400 (Matters Raised by Schools) – Further discussion on the position / funding of the Primary Behaviour Centres, in response to the matter raised by a Member at the last meeting, will be picked up under item 8.

·         Item 401 (SEND / SEMH review) – A further update is provided under agenda item 8.

·         Item 402 (DSG Update) – As agreed at the last meeting, a drafted ‘start for ten’ response to the DfE’s SEND and Alternative Provision Call for Evidence is presented under agenda item 9.

·         Item 403 (Schools Outturn) – The request for further statistical information to provide some context to the change in year end revenue balances held by maintained schools  is still being looked at and we anticipate responding in the autumn term.

·         Previous meeting item – letter to the Secretary of State regarding SEND capital – A letter was sent from the Chair to Lord Agnew on this matter and a copy of this is attached in the report packs.

Resolved –

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

(2)       That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2019 be signed as a correct record.

ACTION:       City Solicitor

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

The Chair drew the attention of Members to the letter in the meeting papers pack, which has been received from the Executive Principal, Co-op Academy Southfield. The Executive Principal is also an Academies Member of the Schools Forum and the Chair invited him to address the Forum directly.

In his letter, the Executive Principal sets out the issue of the shift in the way health services are delivered in schools with increasing demands being placed on special schools and staff to provide healthcare to pupils with complex medical needs. The letter is submitted to raise with the Schools Forum the implications of this, in terms of the additional burden of the clinical duties now being taken on by the school workforce and associated concerns about the shift in costs that this represents to the High Needs Block, and therefore to the DSG, through shifting roles previously undertaken by NHS staff onto those employed by schools.

In presenting this letter, the Executive Principal set out his expectation that the Local Authority will take advice and will come back to the Schools Forum in the autumn with a detailed response to enable a ‘fundamental root and branch’ discussion to take place. He stated that he has already been in dialogue with the Deputy Director, Education and Learning, who is supportive of the concerns that are raised. He also stated that the District Achievement Partnership has commissioned some research on this issue, which will also be available for consideration in the autumn. The key aim of this work and of further conversations is to be clear about who has what funding responsibility in Bradford. There are an increasing number of children in schools that have continuing care needs. The historic position has been that the costs of continuing care have been met fully by the NHS. Special schools however, are now experiencing situations where the NHS is seeking through ‘negotiations’ in various ways to shift cost onto schools. An example of this has been the recent decision to transfer responsibility for a part of physiotherapy support to schools. The absence of national guidance in this area is a significant hindrance to both clarity and consistency.

Following the introduction of the letter, the Forum engaged in a detailed conversation, which included further examples where costs of care are being shifted onto schools / onto the DSG High Needs Block, with both Members and Local Authority representatives recognising the significance of this issue and agreeing the importance of resolving it.

Resolved –

Regarding the letter to the Schools Forum on the shift in the way health services are being delivered in schools (with increasing demands being placed on schools and school staff to provide healthcare to pupils with complex medical needs):

(1)       The Local Authority be asked to provide further information,       which enables the Schools Forum to more closely consider the     matters raised and their implications (including the financial             implications on schools   and on the High Needs Block). That this         information includes an initial        response,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 411.

There are no new Growth Fund allocations presented for the Forum’s consideration.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

No allocations were presented and no resolutions were passed on this item.

Members will be asked to approve the proposed approach to the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Schools Forum for 2019.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) reported that, as per the Forum’s agreed management procedures, the terms of office of the Chair and Vice Chair are for 1 year and both positions are now up for renewal. Members were asked to approve the proposed approach (by email) for the collection of nominations and for the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Schools Forum for 2019.

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

Resolved –

That the established approach (email) be followed for the collection of nominations and for the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Schools Forum for 2019/20.

Action:          Business Advisor (Schools)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document KM, which provides an update on the Forum’s membership composition. The Authority’s calculation confirms that our School and Academy members composition should not be adjusted further at this time; the split of maintained and academies membership is in line with pupil numbers, where the calculation of pupil numbers incorporates a forecast of academy conversions to take place during 2019.

Recommended –

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

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document KM, which provided an update on the Forum’s membership composition. The Authority’s calculation confirms that our School and Academy members composition should not be adjusted further at this time; the split of maintained and academies membership is in line with pupil numbers, where the calculation of pupil numbers incorporates a forecast of academy conversions to take place during 2019.

Forum Members did not have any comments on this report and did not ask any questions.

Resolved –

(1)       That the information presented on the School Forum’s     membership be noted.

(2)       That the Authority’s proposal that the Forum’s membership        composition as it    currently stands be retain for 2019/20 be supported.

Action:          Business Advisor (Schools)

A progress report on the SEND and SEHM reviews will be presented.

Recommended –

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

(Marium Haque – 01274 431078)

Primary Behaviour Centres & District PRU

The Deputy Director, Education and Learning began this item by presented a report (tabled at the meeting), which responded to questions and concerns raised at the last meeting on future arrangements for the Primary Behaviour Centres and District PRU.

Regarding the Primary Behaviour Centres, the Deputy Director explained that the current funding arrangements will remain in place up to the end of the 2019/20 academic year, to support a transition to the future arrangements.  From September 2020, the funding from the High Needs Block for Behaviour Centres, under their current delivery model, will cease. She explained that discussions have begun with the primary schools that have Behaviour Centres to look at the potential options going forward.  In effect, there are 4 options for each of the primary schools to consider individually depending on their circumstances.

Regarding District PRU, the Deputy Director explained that the current funding of 80 places - where the High Needs Block meets the cost of the £10,000 place element only (the BACs or individual schools using the places will be responsible for the top-up element associated with these 80 places) - will remain in place up to the end of the 2019/20 academic year to support a transition to the future arrangements. Discussions have begun with the BACS Heads and the District PRU to look at potential options going forwards, with the main focus for District PRU being to develop a financially viable “buy back” model for step out provision that secondary schools choose to invest in using a collaborative purchasing model. If a financially viable position is not developed then the Local Authority will need to consider the future viability of District PRU, which will involve discussions with the RSC, as District PRU currently has an Academy Order.

Members asked the following questions and made the following comments in response to this report:

• The Chair asked what is meant by ‘step out’ provision in terms of a length of time. The Deputy Director stated that it is for schools to agree the nature of the offer but national models typically operate on the basis of 6-12 weeks as these are seen to be the most successful for the pupil and also the most financially viable.
• Responding the update on the Primary Behaviour Centres, a Member representing maintained primary school headteachers expressed his concern about the value that will be lost should these centres close; value in terms of respite and the part these centres currently play in supporting the duty of care that schools have to other pupils and to staff. The Member also asked how the future arrangements are going to be consulted on and how the Authority will ensure that the proposed changes are more widely understood.
• Responding to the update on District PRU, the Vice Chair expressed his concern, raised at previous meetings, that there is a significant amount of work to be undertaken to develop and implement a new collaborative delivery model. He explained his concern  ...  view the full minutes text for item 415.

A drafted response to the DfE’s call for evidence on SEND and Alternative Provision financial arrangements is presented, Document KO, for the Forum’s consideration. This draft is intended to help Members agree their collective response, which will be submitted to the DfE alongside a response from the Local Authority. The deadline for responses to this call for evidence is 31 July 2019.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to agree its collective response to the DfE’s call for evidence, using the draft as a starting point.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

A drafted response to the DfE’s call for evidence on SEND and Alternative Provision financial arrangements was presented, Document KO, for the Forum’s consideration. The Business Advisor (Schools) explained that this draft was intended to help Members agree their collective response, which would be submitted to the DfE. The deadline for responses to this call for evidence is 31 July 2019.

The Business Advisor added that he would wish to include in the response a clear comment about the necessity of resolving the funding of / responsibilities around the costs of continuing care (partnership working with health) and that he would use the communication to the Schools Forum presented under ‘Matters Raised By Schools’ to do this.

Some Members indicated that they would wish to reflect further on the draft and submit comments / additions after the meeting. It was agreed that a deadline of Wednesday 17 July be set for further comments to be emailed to the Business Advisor. The Business advisor will then collate a final response and submit this to the DfE.

Resolved –

That Members send to the Business Advisor (Schools) any additional comments they have on the drafted response (Document KM) by close of play Wednesday 17 July. A final draft of the Schools Forum’s response will be circulated by email to Forum Members and this response will then be submitted on the Forum’s behalf by the 31 July deadline.

Action:          Business Advisor (Schools)

A report will be presented, Document KP, which responds to the request made by Members at the meeting held on 13 March 2019 for a report, which examines the affordability of PFI costs in schools across the medium and longer terms.

Recommended –

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

                                                                       (Ian Smart – 01274 431735)

A report was presented, Document KP, which responded to the request made by Members at the meeting held on 13 March 2019 for a report, which examines the affordability of PFI costs in schools across the medium and longer terms.

The report was presented by the Head of Team (Pupil Planning / Trans) and the Business Advisor (Schools). In the discussion that followed Members made the following comments and asked the following questions:

·         The Academies Member, who requested the report, welcomed its clarity. He stated that the 2 bullet points on page 29 are crucial (the impact of annual inflationary RPIX growth on the cost of the school’s unitary charge and the affordability pressure resulting from the reduction in pupil numbers when the unitary charge remains fixed). He explained that these are the circumstances being faced by his MAT now and are also, more widely, interconnected with decisions being taken or considered by schools in respect of their 6^th forms. Unless there a mechanism for dealing with these 2 factors PFI will be unsustainable for individual schools and MATs going forward and the provision for children will continue to be detrimentally affected - the cost of the annual increase through the RPIX mechanism, for example, is the equivalent to the cost of a teacher. Schools and MATs already have to make significant curriculum planning decisions in order to accommodate PFI costs.

·         These comments were supported and reinforced by the Member representing maintained secondary schools and the Member representing maintained special schools, both having declared their interests.

·         Another Academies Member asked a ‘theoretical’ question, in the case of a MAT that might not be able to afford PFI payments, at what point this would be seen as a ‘default’ (where the ESFA would step in to cover PFI costs) rather than just a budget overspending for the MAT to recover.

·         The Chair asked where we go next with this issue. Both the Head of Team and the Business Advisor responded that there is a clear role for the DfE’s National Funding Formula in the resolution especially of the inflationary increase issue. The financial responsibilities for individual schools and MATs however, are contractually agreed and fixed in relation to the total cost of PFI, PFI credits from Government and the calculated affordability gap. So there a clear role for Government in this issue. The Academies Member, who requested the report, agreed that this is not an issue that the Schools Forum itself can resolve, but that the Forum needs to have a voice and, with the Authority, needs to continue to place pressure on the DfE, the ESFA and the RSC to find a resolution. The Forum also needs to be kept informed of discussions and developments on this issue.

Resolved –

(1)       That the Schools Forum, at this stage, notes the issues set out in         the report regarding the affordability of PFI at school level.

(2)       That the Forum continues to receive information on the    development of PFI funding within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 417.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document KQ, which provides an update on matters relating to the future development of National Funding Formula and the 2020/21 Dedicated Schools Grant as well as an update on local formula funding review work.

Recommended –

(1)       The Schools Forum is asked to consider and to note the information provided.

(2)       Forum Members are invited to attend a ‘Formula Funding Working        Group’ session, on Tuesday 1 October (8am) or Wednesday 2     October (8am) or Tuesday 8 October (8am). As last year, these   sessions will enable Forum Members to consider in more detail             the impact of formula funding decisions and to explore and guide          the proposals for 2020/21 that are anticipated will be set out for      consultation in October.

                                                                        (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document KQ, which provided an update on matters relating to the future development of National Funding Formula and the 2020/21 Dedicated Schools Grant as well as an update on local formula funding review work.

He highlighted that announcements on the DSG settlement and formula funding arrangements for 2020/21 are still to be made and at this time we remain uncertain about the content of these and the actions that may be necessary from them. He also highlighted for Members the FFWG dates scheduled in October and requested that Members book themselves onto one of these.

Forum Members did not have any comments on this report and did not ask any questions.

Resolved –

(1)       That the information provided in Document KQ be noted.

(2)       That Forum Members be invited to attend a ‘Formula Funding Working Group’ session, on Tuesday 1 October (8am) or Wednesday 2 October (8am) or Tuesday 8 October (8am). These sessions will enable Forum Members to consider in more detail the impact of formula funding decisions and to explore and guide the proposals for 2020/21 that are anticipated will be set out for consultation in October.

Action:          Business Advisor (Schools)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document KR, which provides the Forum with an update on the compliance of maintained schools with the Schools’ Financial Value Standard (the SFVS) at 31 March 2019.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to consider & to note the information provided.

(Karl Pease– 01274 432249)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document KR, which provided the Forum with an update on the compliance of maintained schools with the Schools’ Financial Value Standard (the SFVS) at 31 March 2019.

Forum Members did not have any comments on this report and did not ask any questions.

Resolved –

That the information provided in Document KR be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document KS, which provides the Forum with a summary of the categorisation of maintained schools within the Local Authority’s Financial Classification of Schools for the 2019/20 academic year.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to consider & to note the information provided.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document KS, which provided the Forum with a summary of the categorisation of maintained schools within the Local Authority’s Financial Classification of Schools for the 2019/20 academic year.      

The Member representing PRUs highlighted that 50% of PRUs are in Category A (forecasting deficit budgets) and that this reflects the lack of sufficiency in the funding allocated to this sector. We should not lose sight of this.

The representative of the teacher trades unions commented more generally about the financial pressures facing school budgets, adding that the STRB has recommended to the DfE a pay award for teachers at September 2019 of 2.75%, which is above the 2% the DfE stated was affordable within the 2019/20 financial settlement.

Resolved –

That the information provided in Document KS 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 made on this item.

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

The Chair requested that Mark Douglas (new Strategic Director of Children’s Services) attends the Schools Forum meeting in September.

No resolutions were made on this item.

Please see the published schedule of meetings – the next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 18 September 2019.

The schedule of meetings of the Schools Forum for the 2019/20 academic year is as follows. All meeting are to be held at 8.00 am at City Hall.

·         Wednesday 18 September 2019

·         Wednesday 16 October 2019

·         Wednesday 4 December 2019

·         Wednesday 8 January 2020

·         Wednesday 15 January 2020, PROVISIONAL MEETING

·         Wednesday 11 March 2020

·         Wednesday 20 May 2020

·         Wednesday 8 July 2020

(a) Denotes an item for action

(i)  Denotes an item for information

Please see the published schedule of meetings – the next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 18 September 2019.

The schedule of meetings of the Schools Forum for the 2019/20 academic year is as follows. All meeting are to be held at 8.00 am at City Hall.

·         Wednesday 18 September 2019

·         Wednesday 16 October 2019

·         Wednesday 4 December 2019

·         Wednesday 8 January 2020

·         Wednesday 15 January 2020, PROVISIONAL MEETING

·         Wednesday 11 March 2020

·         Wednesday 20 May 2020

·         Wednesday 8 July 2020

FROM:  Parveen Akhtar

            City Solicitor

            City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Committee Secretariat, contact Asad Shah:  01274 432280