Local democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 - City Hall, Bradford. View directions

Contact: Asad Shah - 01274 432280 

Items
No. Item

438.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

The Business Advisor (Schools) will report the names of alternate Members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed Members.

 

 

439.

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

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.

 

 

440.

MINUTES OF 18 SEPTEMBER 2019 & MATTERS ARISING pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Recommended –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2019 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

 

 

Minutes:

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

 

·         Item 429 (FFWG Sessions) – 3 sessions were delivered with attendance from 6 members in total.

 

·         Item 430 (Work Programme) – This programme has been published on Bradford Schools Online with the addition of the report from the Headteacher of the Virtual School.

 

·         Item 431 (High Needs Block Steering Group) – This Group will be reconvened as part of the consultation on the 2020/21 High Needs Funding Model, which is being outlined in agenda item 9.

 

·         Item 432 (AOB) –

 

o   The request that the Forum be kept updated on discussions regarding PFI lifecycle changes is recorded.

 

o   Regarding October 2019 admissions: In previous years we have reported to the Forum the number of new admission applications that were ‘in the system’ but that had not been allocated to a primary or secondary school before the October Census was taken. On a simple basis, we do not receive DSG funding in the following year for the children that are not placed by this time. The figure for October 2019 is 129 not placed out of 2,032 new applications (6%), reduced from 151 8.4% in October 2018 and 7.7% in October 2017. Members expressed their thanks to Admissions and to schools for working hard to place children quickly.

 

Resolved –

 

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

 

(2)       That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2019 be signed as a correct record.

 

ACTION:       City Solicitor

 

 

441.

MATTERS RAISED BY SCHOOLS

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

 

 

Minutes:

The Chair explained that she has received a letter from the Oastler School regarding concerning matters related to the development of new places. The content of the letter will be further explored by the Authority and discussed directly with Oastler School.

 

No resolutions were passed on this item.

 

 

442.

STANDING ITEM - DSG GROWTH FUND ALLOCATIONS

There are no new allocations for consideration at this meeting. Proposed allocations to the secondary phase will be presented at the next meeting. This is because October 2019 Census data unfortunately is not yet currently available. The Authority will contact likely eligible secondary schools and academies to give them sight of an indicative allocation as soon as Census data has been collected / released by the DfE (in the case of academies).

 

 

Minutes:

No new allocations were presented for consideration at the meeting. Proposed allocations to the secondary phase will be presented at the next meeting.

 

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

 

 

443.

SEND & ALTERNATIVE PROVISION REVIEWS - PROGRESS UPDATE pdf icon PDF 44 KB

A progress update will be provided on the Authority’s strategic reviews of SEND and Alternative Provision.

           

Recommended –

 

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

 

(Marium Haque – 01274 431078)

 

 

Minutes:

The Deputy Director, Education and Learning updated the Forum on the progress being made on the creation of the agreed 354 additional specialist places. A summary table was presented and the Director confirmed that these places are on track to be delivered and exceeded going forward.

 

The Strategic Manager, Admissions and Exclusions, gave an update on the working group meeting held on 1 October, which was convened at the request of the Schools Forum in July to further discuss the District’s alternative provision.

 

Two Headteacher Members representing primary maintained schools expressed their concerns however, that the path forward for alternative provision in the primary phase especially, with the cessation of DSG funding and the possible closure of the primary behaviour centres, is still not clear. They also felt that the discussions in the working group were not co-ordinated on a cross-phase basis. They expressed concern that the working group has not yet fulfilled its purpose. The Deputy Director responded to explain that she has received positive feedback on the working group but stated that she recognised that perhaps there is a mixture of views here.

 

The Forum requested that the working group meets again prior to the 4 December meeting in order to resolve the concerns that are raised and to report back in detail to the Forum on the ‘ladder of provision’.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That the information provided in the update be noted.

 

(2)       That the alternative provision working group meets again prior to         the 4 December.

 

(3)       That the update to the next Schools Forum meeting includes     detailed information on the District’s alternative provision offer      going forward (described in the meeting as the ‘ladder of             provision’).

 

LEAD: Deputy Director, Education and Learning

 

 

444.

CONSULTATION ON THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL FORMULAE & SCHOOLS BLOCK MATTERS 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 97 KB

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document KZ, which asks the Forum to consider the consultation document, which outlines the proposals for the Schools Block, the formulae to be used to calculate budgets for Primary and Secondary schools and academies for the 2020/21 financial year and the criteria that will form the basis of the allocation of additional funding to schools (and academies where appropriate) from DSG centrally managed funds.

           

Recommended –

 

The Schools Forum is asked to agree that the consultation (Document KZ Appendix 1) is published.        

 

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Business Advisor (schools) presented a report, Document KZ, which asked the Forum to consider the consultation document outlining the proposals for the Schools Block, the formulae to be used to calculate budgets for Primary and Secondary schools and academies for the 2020/21 financial year and the criteria that will form the basis of the allocation of additional funding to schools (and academies where appropriate) from DSG centrally managed funds.

 

Within his presentation of the full proposals and modelling, the Business Advisor asked Members to approve an approach to the ESFA to gain permission to set the Minimum Funding Guarantee at 2.3% - higher than the maximum 1.84% permitted by the normal Regulations. Recognising the likely continued growth in salaries and pensions cost pressures in 2020/21, Members agreed that the headroom that is forecasted to be available within the Schools Block should be used to enhance the minimum funding increase for all primary and secondary schools and academies.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That the information presented in Document KZ be noted.

 

(2)       That a consultation now takes place on the proposals for 2020/21         as set out in Document KZ.

 

(3)       That the Schools Forum approves the submission to the             Education & Skills Funding Agency requesting a ‘dis-application’ to amend the calculation of the Minimum Funding Guarantee, as          presented in Document KZ, which has the effect of delivering a             2.3% MFG in 2020/21.

 

LEAD: Business Advisor, Schools

 

 

445.

CONSULTATION ON EARLY YEARS BLOCK FUNDING MATTERS 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 94 KB

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document LA, which provides an update on Early Years DSG funding matters and the consultation document, proposed to be published, which sets out proposals for Bradford’s Early Years Block and Single Funding Formula for the 2020/21 financial year.

           

Recommended –

 

The Schools Forum is asked to consider the matters raised in the report and agree for the consultation document to be published.

 

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

 

 

Minutes:

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document LA, which provided an update on Early Years DSG funding matters and the outline of the consultation document, to be published once the DfE confirms national arrangements, which sets out broad proposals for Bradford’s Early Years Block and Single Funding Formula for the 2020/21 financial year.

 

The Business Advisor highlighted that the DfE has not yet made any firm detailed announcements on the position of early years funding, nor of the funding of maintained nursery schools, for 2020/21. Recognising the timetable that the Local Authority must work to in setting DSG arrangements, and seeking to ensure proper consultation, the Business Advisor asked for the Forum’s permission to begin a consultation prior to the next Schools Forum meeting on 4 December, assuming that the DfE will make its announcements in the next couple of weeks.

 

Members agreed this proposal. A Member asked whether any modelling has been done on the relationship between the actual cost of early years provision and early years funding. The Business Advisor highlighted that there is a ready reckoner available on Bradford Schools Online, which allows schools to assess this for their own settings and that various studies have been carried out nationally on the sufficiency of early years funding. A summary of these studies can be provided to the Forum at a future meeting.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That the information presented in Document LC be noted.

 

(2)       The Schools Forum notes that announcements regarding the    Early Years Block in 2020/21, and the position of the funding of     maintained nursery schools after August 2020, have not yet           been made by the DfE.

 

(3)       That the Schools Forum agrees for the Local Authority to initiate a       consultation with providers on Early Years Block funding         arrangements for   2020/21, as outlined in Document LA, prior to   the 4 December meeting. It is anticipated that the DfE will make its        announcements in the next couple of          weeks and that a    consultation will begin asap following these. On this timeline, the             outcomes of the consultation will be presented to the Schools   Forum on 4 December. The Schools Forum will also need to     specifically consider the position of maintained nursery schools.

 

LEAD: Business Advisor, Schools

 

 

446.

HIGH NEEDS BLOCK FUNDING MATTERS 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 103 KB

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document LB, which provides Members with an update on the development of Bradford’s high needs funding models and proposals for 2020/21. This update is presented in advance of a more formal and detailed consultation document, which will be finalised shortly and is expected to be published early in November.

           

Recommended –

 

The Forum is asked to consider and provide initial feedback on the proposals outlined in the report.

 

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

 

 

Minutes:

The Business Advisor (Schools) present a report, Document LB, which provided Members with an update on the development of Bradford’s high needs funding models and proposals for 2020/21. This update was presented in advance of a more formal and detailed consultation document, which would be finalised shortly and was expected to be published early in November.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That the information presented in Document LB be noted.

 

(2)       That the Schools Forum agrees for the Local Authority to initiate a       consultation with providers on revisions to the high needs       funding model for 2020/21 prior to the Forum’s next meeting. This          consultation will extend into the new year, meaning that the        proposals can be fully discussed with the Forum on 4 December.

 

LEAD: Business Advisor, Schools

 

 

447.

DSG CENTRAL ITEMS AND DE-DELEGATED FUNDS 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 121 KB

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document LC, which asks the Forum to review the position of Central Schools Services Block, Schools Block and Early Years Block central funds and de-delegated items in 2020/21.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       The Forum is asked to review the position of Central Schools    Services Block, Schools Block and Early Years Block central    funds and de-delegated items, to indicate what further             consideration should be given / review work should take place, in        advance of making final recommendations for 2020/21 at the       January 2020 meeting.

 

(2)       Members representing Maintained Primary Schools are asked to           decide on de-delegation in 2020/21 for the purposes of purchasing        subscriptions to Fischer Family Trust.

 

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document LC, which asked the Forum to review the position of Central Schools Services Block, Schools Block and Early Years Block central funds and de-delegated items in 2020/21. Primary maintained school Members were also asked specifically to decide on de-delegation in 2020/21 for the purposes of purchasing subscriptions to Fischer Family Trust.

 

Members did not ask any questions and did not ask for any specific funds to be reviewed.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That the information presented in Document LC be noted.

 

(2)       That the Schools Forum Members did not request the review of             any of the centrally managed funds presented in Document LC.

 

(3)       That Members representing Maintained Primary Schools decided         to de- delegate in 2020/21 for the purposes of purchasing          subscriptions to Fischer Family Trust.

 

LEAD: Business Advisor, Schools

 

 

448.

SCHOOLS FORUM STANDING ITEMS

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)

 

 

449.

AOB / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

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

 

 

450.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Please see the published schedule of meetings – the next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 4 December 2019.

 

 

 

(a) Denotes an item for action

(i)  Denotes an item for information