The City Solicitor will report 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.

Members made respective declarations for item 451 (Growth Fund) relating to allocations to provisions they are connected with.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2019 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

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

Members engaged in particular in discussion on the progress of the working group, established to further consider alternative provision. It was reported that the scheduled meeting in December did not take place, due to officer illness, but that a meeting was now convened for the end of January. A Member representing maintained primary phase headteachers expressed concern that the DSG budget presents a ‘fait accompli’, in regards to the financial position of the primary behaviour centres, but that the processes around assessment, and the mechanisms for accessing support and provision, that need to be in place for schools are still uncertain and that significant further discussion and guidance is needed. This concerned was initially responded to and the Forum resolved to consider the feedback from the working group at the next meeting.

A Member also asked where the matter raised by a school presented to the October meeting (letter from Oastler School) was now resolved. The Business Advisor reported that the issues presented in the letter continue to be discussed with the School with the aim of these being resolved.

Resolved –

(1)       That the additional information presented on the District’s           alternative provision offer be noted. The Forum further noted that    the working group did not meet in December and is scheduled to           meet on 29 January 2020.

(2)       The Schools Forum requests that the Authority provides further           guidance on how schools can provide for / access / develop their       “step out” provision / support going forward within a more           “market driven / mixed economy” framework that is being           established for school commissioned alternative provision. That    the working group considers the Forum’s comments, including        this request for guidance, as well as the options that could be    available to develop and enhance the Authority’s centrally    managed specialist support services for schools to access in the future.

(3)       That feedback from the working group meeting be presented to            the Schools Forum on 11 March 2020.

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

No resolutions were passed on this item.

Members will be asked to consider, in Document LD, newly proposed allocations to mainstream secondary schools and mainstream secondary academies from the established DSG Schools Block Growth Fund in 2019/20.

Recommended –

(1)       The Schools Forum is asked to agree to allocate a total of           £1,232,308 from the Secondary Growth Fund in 2019/20 to schools        and academies as set out in Document LD.

(2)       Members are asked to note that an indicative total sum of            £1,636,312 of surplus balance Growth Fund is ring-fenced and is    forecasted to be carried forward into 2020/21. The Schools Forum       will be asked to consider the allocation and retention of this        balance in support of Growth Fund costs in 2020/21 later in this         meeting.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

Members were asked to consider, in Document LD, newly proposed allocations to mainstream secondary schools and mainstream secondary academies from the established DSG Schools Block Growth Fund in 2019/20.

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

Resolved –

(1)       The Schools Forum agrees to allocate a total of £1,232,308 from            the Secondary Growth Fund in 2019/20 to schools and academies   as set out in Document LD.

(2)       That an indicative total sum of £1,636,312 of surplus balance      Growth Fund is ring-fenced and is forecasted to be carried   forward into 2020/21 be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document LE, which asks Forum Members to consider the Authority’s proposals for Bradford’s 2020/21 High Needs Funding Model. A consultation on these proposals was begun on 16 December 2019 and will end on 4 February 2020. These proposals include a new model for the funding of top up (element 3) for EHCPs.

Document LE (Appendix 2) provides information on the number of high needs places planned to be commissioned by the Authority in Bradford-located settings in 2020/21.

Recommended –

(1)       The Forum is asked to consider the proposals set out in the       consultation and to give its feedback on these.

(2)       Members are asked to note that the consultation on the High      Needs Funding Model will continue to February. It is expected that         a final decision on this model will be taken by the Executive and         then Council at the end of February so that agreed revised          arrangements are in place for 1 April 2020.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document LE, which asked Forum Members to consider the Authority’s proposals for Bradford’s 2020/21 High Needs Funding Model. A consultation on these proposals was begun on 16 December 2019 and ends on 4 February 2020. These proposals include a new model for the funding of top up (element 3) for EHCPs.

Document LE (Appendix 2) provided also information on the number of high needs places planned to be commissioned by the Authority in Bradford-located settings in 2020/21.

Members gave their full support to the proposed changes. A Member representing primary phase headteachers highlighted how important it is, in the protection of small schools, to ensure that the ‘cost reasonable’ assessment is appropriately employed by the Panel in applying the proposed new contribution model for specialist equipment.

Resolved –

(1)       That the changes in Bradford’s local High Needs Funding Model          for 2020/21 proposed within the Authority’s        consultation, as set           out in Document LE be supported. These changes include the          implementation of a new banded model for   the funding of EHCPs,             with transition to this model at 1 April 2020.

(2)       That the outcomes of the consultation, and the final 2020/21       Model as decided by Council (on 20 February), be presented back    to the Forum on 11 March 2020.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document LF, which asks Members to consider the outcomes of the consultations on Schools Block formula funding and centrally managed funds (concluded on 29 November) and the Early Years Single Funding Formula (concluded on 20 December). This report includes information on early years funding, and the immediate position of the funding of maintained nursery schools, which was announced by the DfE on 31 October.

An update will be provided verbally on the status of the Forum’s application to the ESFA to set the Schools Block Minimum Funding Guarantee at +2.34% in 2020/21, which is 0.5% higher than the maximum +1.84% permitted by the Finance Regulations.

Recommended –

(1)       The Forum is asked to consider the outcomes of the Schools    Block consultation and whether any of the proposals on the    primary and secondary funding formulae for 2020/21 should be       changed in the light of responses.

(2)       The Forum is asked to consider the outcomes of the Early Years          Block consultation and whether any of the proposals on the Early         Years Single Funding Formula for 2020/21 should be changed in       the light of responses.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document LF, which asked Members to consider the outcomes of the consultations on Schools Block formula funding and centrally managed funds (concluded on 29 November) and the Early Years Single Funding Formula (concluded on 20 December). This report included information on early years funding, and the immediate position of the funding of maintained nursery schools, which was announced by the DfE on 31 October.

An update was provided verbally on the status of the Forum’s application to the ESFA to set the Schools Block Minimum Funding Guarantee at +2.34% in 2020/21, which is 0.5% higher than the maximum +1.84% permitted by the Finance Regulations. Much of the Forum’s discussion on Schools Block formula funding arrangements centred on what to do given the ESFA has not yet responded to our MFG request. Individual Members expressed some different views, but a consensus was achieved an is recorded in the decisions under item 458.

Members also engaged in some discussion about the continuing uncertainty of the DSG funding system going forward as well as the potential financial pressure that may come from the proposal to substantially increase the starting salary of qualified teachers.

Resolved –

That the information contained in Document LF and its appendices be noted. The Forum’s recommendations on formula funding arrangements for 2020/21 are recorded below under item 10.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document LG, which updates members on the position of the Dedicated Schools Grant for the 2020/21 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 12.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document LG, which updated members on the position of the Dedicated Schools Grant for the 2020/21 financial year. This was a main reference document for this meeting.

Resolved –

That the information contained in Document LG and its appendices be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document LH, which updates Members on the forecasted spending positions of each of the DSG Blocks in 2019/20. This document gives Members a view of the estimated values of balances to be carried forward into 2020/21 and a view of the uses of these balances.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the information provided. This will inform decisions and recommendations to be taken under agenda item 12.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document LH, which updated Members on the forecasted spending positions of each of the DSG Blocks in 2019/20. This document gave Members a view of the estimated values of balances to be carried forward into 2020/21 and a view of the uses of these balances.

Resolved –

That the information contained in Document LH and its appendices be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document LI, which sets out the position of the funding of Schools Block, Central Schools Services Block and Early Years Block central and de-delegated items, to enable Members to make recommendations and decisions under agenda item 12.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the information provided. This will inform decisions and recommendations to be taken under agenda item 12.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document LI, which set out the position of the funding of Schools Block, Central Schools Services Block and Early Years Block central and de-delegated items, to enable Members to make recommendations and decisions under agenda item 12.

An academies member highlighted that, although academies members do not vote on de-delegation related to Trade Union Facilities Time, academies are charged at the same rate so there needs to be continuing opportunity for academies to discuss these arrangements.

Resolved –

That the information contained in Document LI and its appendices be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document LJ (Appendices 1 -4), which shows the indicative value of delegated allocations for individual schools, academies and early years settings for the 2020/21 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 12.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the information provided. This will inform decisions and recommendations to be taken under agenda item 12.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document LJ (Appendices 1 -4), which showed the indicative values of delegated allocations for individual schools, academies and early years settings for the 2020/21 financial year and also showed the draft Primary and Secondary and Early Years Pro-formas.

Members noted that the allocations and the Pro-formas were subject to the final decisions and recommendations to be made by the Schools Forum under agenda item 12.

Resolved –

That the information contained in Document LJ and its appendices be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present Document LK, 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 2020/21 financial year. The Forum will be asked to take decisions / make recommendations on the items listed under the following main headings:

·         Schools Block Centrally Managed Funds

·         Early Years Block Centrally Managed Funds

·         The Central Schools Services Block

·         The High Needs Block

·         The Allocation & Retention of forecasted Balances Brought Forward

·         Early Years Single Funding Formula 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 2020/21 DSG and the one off monies available.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document LK, 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 2020/21 financial year. The Forum was asked to take decisions / make recommendations on the items listed under the following main headings:

·         Schools Block Centrally Managed Funds

·         Early Years Block Centrally Managed Funds

·         The Central Schools Services Block

·         The High Needs Block

·         The Allocation & Retention of forecasted Balances Brought Forward

·         Early Years Single Funding Formula and Pro-Forma

·         Primary & Secondary Formula Funding and Pro-Forma

Resolved –

1.         Schools Block Centrally Managed Funds 2020/21

Schools Block De-Delegated Funds 2020/21

Document LI (and Appendices 1 – 3).

1.1       Schools Members representing maintained primary & secondary          schools agreed the values of de-delegated funds, with       contributions to be taken from 2020/21 formula funding             allocations, as per Document LI and its appendices.

a)    School Re-Organisation Costs (Safeguarded Salaries) (Primary & Secondary): continued de-delegation from both the primary and secondary phases for the actual cost of continuing safeguarded salaries in maintained primary and secondary schools.

b)   School Re-Organisation Costs (Sponsored conversions budget deficits) (Primary only): Paused de-delegation from the primary phase meaning that no new contribution is taken in 2020/21. Review again for 2021/22. The Schools Forum will be provided with monitoring reports where the brought forward balance is used within 2020/21 for this purpose.

c)    Exceptional Costs & Schools in Financial Difficulty (Primary only): continued de-delegation from the primary phase at the 2019/20 per pupil value.

d)   Costs of FSM Eligibility Assessments (Primary & Secondary): continued de-delegation from both the primary and secondary phases at the 2019/20 per FSM6 values, with contributions continuing to be taken using FSM Ever 6 data.

e)    Fisher Family Trust (Primary only): continued de-delegation from the primary phase, recovering the cash value to match the actual cost. The secondary phase and all primary academies will be invited to subscribe through the Local Authority (paying for this from their own delegated budgets via invoice). Please note that the Schools Members representing maintained primary schools decided on 16 October 2019 to continue de-delegation in 2020/21 for the purposes of subscribing to FFT. As such, this decision is repeated here only for reference and completeness.

f)     Trade Union Facilities Time – Negotiator Time (Primary & Secondary): continued de-delegation from primary and secondary phases at the 2019/20 per pupil value.

g)   Trade Union Facilities Time – Health and Safety Time (Primary & Secondary): continued de-delegation from primary and secondary phases at the 2019/20 per pupil value.

h)   School Maternity / Paternity ‘insurance’ fund (Primary only): continued de-delegation from the primary phase at a value forecasted to afford the scheme for a full year. The £app cost is shown in Document LI Appendix 2 (£17.18 per pupil). The reduction from £27.41 in 2019/20 to £17.18 per pupil includes the release, on a one off basis, of £0.30m of balance brought forward within this fund.

i)     School Staff Public Duties and Suspensions Fund (Primary only):  ...  view the full minutes text for item 462.

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

No resolutions were passed on this item.

A provisional meeting has been planned (subject to this being needed to complete agenda item 12) to take place on Wednesday 15 January 2020.

The next substantive Forum meeting is planned for Wednesday 11 March 2020.

Please note that the provisional dates of meetings for the 2020/21 academic year are as follows:

·         Wednesday 16 September 2020, 8am

·         Wednesday 14 October 2020, 8am

·         Wednesday 9 December 2020, 8am

·         Wednesday 13 January 2021, 8am

·         Wednesday 20 January 2021, 8am  PROVISIONAL MEETING

·         Wednesday 10 March 2021, 8am

·         Wednesday 19 May 2021, 8am

·         Wednesday 7 July 2021, 8am

(a) Denotes an item for action

(i)  Denotes an item for information

The next meeting of the Schools Forum is scheduled for Wednesday 11 March 2020. Please note that the provisional meeting scheduled for 15 January 2020 is not required and is cancelled.

FROM:  Parveen Akhtar

City Solicitor

            City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Committee Secretariat, contact Asad Shah:  01274 432280