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.

Helen Williams, Ashley Reed, Carol Dewhirst, Victoria Birch and Ian Morrel declared interests for agenda item 5 (Growth Fund allocations).

As the 8 December meeting was not quorate, the Schools Forum is asked to review and to approve the minutes of the 13 October 2021 meeting. The note, which summarises the briefing that was held for members that attended the 8 December meeting, and which has been circulated to all members, is copied here for completeness.

The Business Advisor highlighted for Forum members the briefing note within the reports pack, which was written to summarise the 8 December Forum meeting, which was held informally as it was inquorate.

The Business Advisor (Schools) then reported on progress made on “Action” items from the 13 October meeting:

·         Item 589 (Schools Block consultation) – The consultation document was published and the consultation period closed on 30 November. The feedback received from the consultation was picked up under agenda item 7 on 8 December. Within the reports pack, we provided a summary of the numbers that would have been funded by the Reception Uplift factor for the last 3 years, as requested.

·         Item 590 (High Needs Block consultation) – The consultation document was published and the consultation period closed on 30 November. The feedback received from the consultation was picked up under agenda item 9 on 8 December. The DfE has stated that the outcomes of the national SEND and Alternative Provision reviews, the publication of which will include consultation on system and funding changes possibly for April 2023, will now be announced in the first quarter of 2022. We might expect this to be an agenda item for the Schools Forum either in March or May.

·         Item 591 (Early Years Block funding matters) – The Early Years Block settlement has been announced and this was picked up under agenda item 6 on 8 December. The EYSFF consultation document was published on 8 December. The consultation runs to the 24 January. The Principal Finance Officer (Schools) verbally provided a summary of the feedback to the consultation that has been received so far.

a)    The Business Advisor reported on other matters arising, as follows:

·         On 16 December, the DfE announced that additional new Supplementary Grant funding will be allocated to mainstream nursery, primary and secondary schools and academies for the 2022/23 financial year (from April 2022), covering a number of priorities and pressures, but including the cost of the new National Insurance Social Care / NHS Levy. This will be a grant that is calculated by the ESFA, using a national methodology. It is expected that this grant will be merged into the National Funding Formula for the 2023/24 financial year.

·         Also regarding the Supplementary Grant funding, different arrangements will apply for special schools / special school academies / PRUs and Alternative Provision academies and other high needs providers. The Local Authority will be allocated a single sum of £3.8m into the High Needs Block, from which to provide additional financial support. We will need to consider further how to allocate this funding. The Business Advisor confirmed for members that this £3.8m is not allocated by the recommendations that are being made at this meeting. Likely the £3.8m in 2022/23 will be allocated between:

o   Increasing further the top up values allocated by our EHCP Banded Model and PRU Day Rate Funding Model, specifically to cover the new National Insurance levy cost.

o   Further Education Providers & other post-16 provisions – meeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 597.

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

No resolutions were passed on this item.

As presented in Document NT, Forum Members are asked to agree newly proposed allocations, from the 2021/22 Schools Block Growth Fund, to maintained primary and secondary schools and to primary and secondary academies.

Document NT replaces Document NO, which was presented on 8 December. The two allocations that were estimated in Document NO are now confirmed. As the Forum’s meeting held on 8 December was not quorate, the Forum has still to formally approve the allocations, which are now presented in Document NT.

Recommended –

(1)       The Schools Forum is asked to agree to allocate a total of £990,832 from the Growth Fund in 2021/22 to maintained secondary schools and secondary academies, as set out in Document NT.

(2)       The Schools Forum is asked to agree to allocate a total of £118,914 from the Growth Fund in 20221/22 to maintained primary schools and primary academies, as set out in Document NT.

(3)       Members are asked to note that an indicative total sum of £1,051,121 of surplus balance of Growth Fund is ring-fenced and is forecasted to be carried forward into 2022/23 within the Schools Block.

(Jonty Holden – 01274 431927)

The Business Advisor presented Document NT, which asked Forum Members to agree newly proposed allocations, from the 2021/22 Schools Block Growth Fund, to maintained primary and secondary schools and to primary and secondary academies. He explained that Document NT replaces Document NO, which was presented on 8 December.

Forum members did not ask any questions and did not make any comments.

Resolved –

(1)       The Schools Forum agreed to allocate a total of £990,832 from the Growth Fund in 2021/22 to maintained secondary schools and secondary academies, as set out in Document NT.

(2)       The Schools Forum agreed to allocate a total of £118,914 from the Growth Fund in 2021/22 to maintained primary schools and primary academies, as set out in Document NT.

(3)       Members noted that an indicative total sum of £1,051,121 of surplus balance of Growth Fund is ring-fenced and is forecasted to be carried forward into 2022/23 within the Schools Block.

LEAD:            Business Advisor, Schools

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document NY, which updates Forum Members on the position of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2022/23 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 made under agenda item 11.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented, Document NY, which updated Forum Members on the position of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2022/23 financial year. He explained that this is a main reference document for this meeting, showing the DSG position in 2022/23 should the Schools Forum accept all the decisions and recommendations that are proposed by the Local Authority, as set out in Document OD under agenda item 11.

The Business Advisor clarified that nothing presented to the meeting specifically allocates the additional £3.8m High Needs Block supplementary funding that was announced by the DfE on 16 December.

Resolved –

That the information presented in Document NY be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present statements, Document NZ Appendices 1 and 2, which update Forum Members on the forecasted spending positions of each of the DSG Blocks for 2021/22, on the estimated values of balances to be carried forward into 2022/23, and on the proposed uses of these balances.

These statements replace the initial indicative forecasts that were presented to the Schools Forum on 8 December (in Document NV).

Recommended –

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

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented Document NZ Appendices 1 and 2, which updated Forum Members on the forecasted spending positions of each of the DSG Blocks for 2021/22, on the estimated values of balances to be carried forward into 2022/23, and on the proposed uses of these balances. He explained that these statements replace the initial indicative forecasts that were presented to the Schools Forum on 8 December (in Document NV).

In response to the presentation of the documents, the Forum’s discussion focused on the £21.7m balance that is forecasted to be held within the High Needs Block at 31 March 2022. Forum members asked the following questions and made the following comments and statements:

·         The Authority must now develop a plan for this balance.

·         How much interest is the Authority receiving on this balance? Cllr Pollard, who was observing the meeting, stated that the Council’s overall investment yield in the first 6 months of 2021/22 was 0.08%. The Business Advisor explained that the Council’s overall treasury management position is complicated e.g. the Authority front loads cash into school budgets.

·         Is there risk that the DfE will clawback the balance? The Business Advisor responded that, in his view, it would not be legitimate for the DfE to clawback in these circumstances (where there is an underspend of DSG rather than an illegitimate use of DSG). The Business Advisor explained that the DfE / ESFA may challenge us to explain how our balance has accrued and how this is to be used, and he stated that he had a short conversation with the ESFA in early autumn 2021 about our High Needs Block financial position.

·         The Schools Forum, with the Authority, has previously taken difficult decisions to protect the High Needs Block, as we had serious concerns about the block’s future financial position. Within this, mainstream schools contributed to the High Needs Block via transfer from the Schools Block. The member representing special school academies added that the Forum took these decisions in the time before the DfE began to substantially improve High Needs Block funding (from April 2020), and that our concerns were very legitimate at that time. He added that the action that we have taken is now to our benefit. However, he has two main concerns. Firstly, that we are an ‘outlier’ (where a large number of local authorities are in deficit rather than surplus), which feels ‘uncomfortable’. Secondly, that we now need a plan for this balance.

·         If any of the surplus balance is used for capital (for the development of specialist places), whether this may affect the value of additional capital funding we are due to receive from the DfE. We need to be cautious.

·         The availability of capital funding however, is critical to our continued creation of specialist places. We need to communicate this message clearly and strongly to the DfE, in the context of the announcement to come about the distribution of the £2.6bn national SEND capital stream. We also need to ensure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 601.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present statements, Document OA Appendices 1, 2 and 3, which set out proposed Schools Block, Central Schools Services Block and Early Years Block centrally managed and de-delegated funds for the 2022/23 financial year.

The statements at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 replace the indicative information that was presented to the Schools Forum on 8 December (in Document NX).

Appendix 3 newly presents the contributions to be made by each maintained primary and secondary school to de-delegated funds held within the Schools Block and how these compare with the contributions made in 2021/22.

Recommended –

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

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented Document OA Appendices 1, 2 and 3, which set out proposed Schools Block, Central Schools Services Block and Early Years Block centrally managed and de-delegated funds for the 2022/23 financial year. He explained that the statements at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 replace the indicative information that was presented to the Schools Forum on 8 December (in Document NX). Appendix 3 newly presents the contributions that are proposed to be made by each maintained primary and secondary school to de-delegated funds held within the Schools Block and how these compare with the contributions made in 2021/22.

In response to the presentation of the documents, the Forum’s discussion focused on the new de-delegation to replace the School Improvement Monitoring and Brokering Grant (SIMB). A member representing maintained primary school headteachers expressed concerns about the transparency of this funding and, in particular, whether any of this funding is allocated to schools and academies that are not located in Bradford (that may provide school improvement services within Bradford). It was clarified that this is not the case. The Vice Chair, and other maintained schools members, asked for further information to be provided on the allocation of these monies and their impact. The Business Advisor verbally provided some information, which has been communicated to maintained schools, on the current 2021/22 academic year SIMB programme, emphasising that the majority of this funding is used to enable school-led support. It was agreed that further information on the allocation and impact of this funding will be provided. A member representing maintained primary school headteacher suggested that the interest being received on the High Needs Block surplus balance should be used instead to fund the SIMB activity, and that the expectation should be that the of cost of de-delegation reduces year on year. The Business Advisor responded to explain that it is not legitimate to use interest on the DSG to support de-delegated funds and he emphasised that the de-delegated funds that are held, including SIMB, only provide services and support that maintained schools directly benefit from.

Following the Forum’s discussion, attending members representing maintained primary schools voted (5 for; 1 against) to de-delegate in 2022/23 for the purpose of replacing the SIMB Grant. The Vice Chair requested the opportunity to contact maintained secondary school colleagues, before taking a final decision.

Resolved –

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

(2)       Attending members representing maintained primary schools voted (5 for; 1 against) to de-delegate in 2022/23 for the purpose of replacing the School Improvement, Monitoring and Brokering Grant (SIMB), as set out in Document OA.

(3)       The member representing maintained secondary schools requested the opportunity to contact maintained school colleagues, prior to deciding on de-delegation for the SIMB Grant in 2022/23 for the secondary phase. This was agreed, meaning that the decision on SIMB de-delegation for 2022/23 for the maintained secondary phase will be taken ‘outside’ the Forum meeting and will be reported to the Forum on 9 March.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 602.

The Principal Finance Officers (Schools) and the Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document OB, with Appendices 1-5.

Appendices 1a, 1b and 1c show the indicative values of allocations to be delegated to individual primary and secondary maintained schools and academies within the Schools Block.

Appendix 1d provides an analysis of the change in cost of Schools Block formula funding following the use of the data collected in / based on the October 2021 Census. Modelling previously presented to the Forum has been based on October 2020 Census data.

Appendices 2a, 2b and 2c show the proposed indicative rates of funding for early years settings for the 2022/23 financial year. These rates are shown, prior to the completion of the consultation on our Early Years Single Funding Formula (which closes on 24 January).

Appendix 3 provides a more detailed analysis of how the High Needs Block planned budget has been constructed at individual setting level. Please note that Appendix 3 does not show the values of allocations that high needs providers will actually receive in 2022/23 (as these will be based on monthly occupancy during the year).

Appendices 4 and 5 show the draft Primary and Secondary and Early Years pro-formas, which summarise the Authority’s proposed formula funding arrangements. Please note that these pro-formas are subject to the final decisions and recommendations to be made by the Schools Forum, under agenda item 11, as well as to the finalisation of our early years funding arrangements, following the closure of the consultation on 24 January.

Recommended –

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

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented, Document OB, with Appendices 1-5.

Appendices 1a, 1b and 1c showed the indicative values of allocations to be delegated to individual primary and secondary maintained schools and academies within the Schools Block. Appendix 1d provided an analysis of the change in cost of Schools Block formula funding following the use of the data collected in / based on the October 2021 Census. Appendices 2a, 2b and 2c showed the proposed indicative rates of funding for early years settings for the 2022/23 financial year. Appendix 3 provided a more detailed analysis of how the High Needs Block planned budget has been constructed at individual setting level.  Appendices 4 and 5 showed the draft Primary and Secondary and Early Years pro-formas, which summarised the Authority’s proposed formula funding arrangements, which will be subject to the final decisions and recommendations to be made by the Schools Forum, under agenda item 11, as well as to the finalisation of early years funding arrangements following the closure of the consultation on 24 January.

The Business Advisor highlighted Appendix 1d, which presented the cost of change by factor for the Schools Block funding formula, when the October 2021 dataset has been used. The Business Advisor highlighted key themes, especially the increased spending through the Free School Meals factors and the continued (though smaller) reduction in spending through the SEND low prior attainment factor. In total, formula funding costs £0.947m more when using the October 2021 dataset, compared with the cost when using the October 2020 dataset. As such, we were right to be concerned about this, when we set out our consultation in the autumn term. However, the Business Advisor also explained that, although this is a significantly increased cost, there is sufficient headroom within our 2022/23 Schools Block to afford this position, when combined with the allocation of a small amount of brought forward balance. As such, we do not need to look for options to secure affordability and we do not need to move away from the proposal that we made in the autumn term, which was to continue to fully mirror the DfE’s National Funding Formula in 2022/23.

Forum members did not ask any questions and did not make any comments.

Resolved –

That the information presented in Document OB be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document OC, which is an update of the Authority’s Management Plan for the Dedicated Schools Grant. This Plan was first presented to the Schools Forum in January 2021.

The Plan explains the general management principles that guide our decision making and then focuses on High Needs Block matters. Alongside this Plan is presented a list of specialist places planned to be commissioned in 2022/23 and a future year forecast of the High Needs Block.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) now expects that every authority will present to their Forums a Management Plan, which explains their DSG‘s financial position, the risks of overspending and deficit, and the actions that an authority is taking either for deficit avoidance or for deficit recovery, as appropriate. The plan should include benchmarking and demand-led data, to provide context to the financial picture and which enables a focus to be retained on value for money. A plan is specifically required where an authority’s DSG account is in deficit. In these circumstances, an authority is required to submit its plan to the ESFA. This is not the case in Bradford, as our DSG account is in surplus.

Recommended –

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

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented Document OC, which is an update of the Authority’s Management Plan for the Dedicated Schools Grant. This Plan was first presented to the Schools Forum on 13 January 2021. He explained that the Plan explains the general management principles that guide our decision making and then focuses on High Needs Block matters. Alongside this Plan was presented a list of specialist places to be commissioned in 2022/23 and a future year forecast of the High Needs Block.

The Business Advisor explained that the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) now expects that every authority will present to their Forums a Management Plan, which explains their DSG‘s financial position, the risks of overspending and deficit, and the actions that an authority is taking either for deficit avoidance or for deficit recovery, as appropriate. A plan is specifically required where an authority’s DSG account is in deficit. In these circumstances, an authority is required to submit its plan to the ESFA. The Business Advisor explained that this is not the case in Bradford, as our DSG account is in surplus.

A number of aspects of the Plan were discussed within the Forum’s consideration of agenda item 7 (DSG spending and balances forecast). Forum members did not ask any additional questions and did not make any additional comments under this agenda item.

Resolved –

That the DSG Management Plan presented in Document OC be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present Document OD, which summarises the decisions and recommendations that the Schools Forum is asked to make in supporting the Local Authority to set the allocation of the DSG and formula funding arrangements for the 2022/23 financial year. The Forum is asked to take decisions (as required by the Regulations), and to make its final formal recommendations, on the Authority’s proposals 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 (including high needs formula funding models)

·         The Allocation & Retention of forecasted Balances Brought Forward

·         Early Years Block Early Years Single Funding Formula and Pro-Forma

·         Schools Block Primary & Secondary Formula Funding and Pro-Forma

Recommended -

(1)       The Forum is asked for its final decisions on identified items as required by the Regulations.

(2)       The Forum is asked to give its final formal recommendations on the Authority’s proposals for the allocation of the 2022/23 DSG, 2022/23 formula funding arrangements, and the treatment of balances forecasted to be carried forward from 2021/22. The Forum’s recommendations will be presented to the Council’s Executive on 15 February, and then, subject to the Executive’s resolution, to full Council on 17 February, as part of the Council’s final decision making process.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented Document OD, which summarised the decisions and recommendations that the Schools Forum is asked to make in supporting the Local Authority to set the allocation of the DSG and formula funding arrangements for the 2022/23 financial year.

The Forum was asked to take decisions (as required by the Regulations), and to make its final formal recommendations, on the Authority’s proposals 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 (including high needs formula funding models)

·         The Allocation & Retention of forecasted Balances Brought Forward

·         Early Years Block Early Years Single Funding Formula and Pro-Forma

·         Schools Block Primary & Secondary Formula Funding and Pro-Forma

Resolved –

These are the decisions and recommendations that the Schools Forum has made in supporting the Local Authority to establish the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) planned budget and formula funding arrangements for the 2022/23 financial year. The Forum has taken decisions (as required by the Regulations), and has made formal recommendations, which will go forward for presentation to the Executive on 15 February 2022.

Important points of note, which help explain the rationale for decisions / recommendations, are also recorded.

1.         Schools Block Centrally Managed Funds 2022/23 (DECISION)

Schools Block De-Delegated Funds 2022/23 (DECISION)

Document OA Appendices 1 – 3.

1.1 Schools Members representing maintained primary & secondary schools agreed as follows the values of de-delegated funds, and the contributions to be taken from the 2022/23 formula funding allocations of maintained primary & secondary schools.

For the primary phase – items a, b, c, d, f, g, h, and i were agreed unanimously by vote. Item j was agreed by vote 5 for : 1 against. Item e was already agreed by previous decision.

For the secondary phase – items a, d, f, and g were agreed by the maintained secondary school representative. For item j, the member requested the opportunity to contact maintained school colleagues, prior to deciding on de-delegation. This was agreed, meaning that the decision on SIMB de-delegation for 2022/23 for the maintained secondary phase will be taken ‘outside’ the Forum meeting.

a)    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 in maintained primary and secondary schools.

b)   School Re-Organisation Costs (Sponsored academy conversions budget deficits) (Primary phase only): agreed to continue to ‘pause’ de-delegation from the primary phase, meaning that no new contribution is taken in 2022/23. Review again for 2023/24. The Schools Forum will be provided with monitoring reports where this fund’s brought forward balance is used in 2022/23 for this purpose.

c)    Exceptional Costs & Schools in Financial Difficulty (Primary phase only): agreed to continue de-delegation from the primary phase at the 2021/22 per pupil value.

d)   Costs of FSM Eligibility Assessments (Primary & Secondary): agreed to continue de-delegation from both the primary and secondary phases at the 2021/22 per FSM6 values, with contributions continuing to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 605.

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

On behalf of the Schools Forum, the Chair thanked Tehmina Hashmi (a retiring member) for her long-standing membership and for her contribution to the work of the Forum. Mel Saville will replace Tehmina from the next meeting.

Tom Bright informed the Forum that Donna Willoughby is no longer in post. Tom offered to contact the non-teaching unions for a replacement member.

No resolutions were 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 19 January.

The next substantive Forum meeting is planned for Wednesday 9 March 2022.

Please note that the provisional dates of meetings for the 2022/23 academic year are as follows:

·         Wednesday 14 September 2022, 8am

·         Wednesday 12 October 2022, 8am

·         Wednesday 7 December 2022, 8am

·         Wednesday 11 January 2023, 8am

·         Wednesday 18 January 2023, 8am  PROVISIONAL MEETING

·         Wednesday 8 March 2023, 8am

·         Wednesday 17 May 2023, 8am

·         Wednesday 5 July 2023, 8am

(a) Denotes an item for action (including where a formal view or recommendation is required).

(i)  Denotes an item for information.

SIGNPOSTING OF HIGH NEEDS INFORMATION

As per the schedule presented on 14 October 2020, “Forum members are expected to access ‘outside of the Forum meetings’ wider SEND information that is presented to other groups and that is already published, including information presented to the SEND Partnership. The Authority will signpost this information (webpage links) for Forum members at the bottom of agendas.”

SEND Partnership Board (minutes of meetings):

https://localoffer.bradford.gov.uk/coproduction--feedback/send-strategic-partnership-board-

The next Schools Forum meeting is planned for Wednesday 9 March 2022. Please note that the provisional dates of meetings for the 2022/23 academic year are as follows:

·         Wednesday 14 September 2022, 8am

·         Wednesday 12 October 2022, 8am

·         Wednesday 7 December 2022, 8am

·         Wednesday 11 January 2023, 8am

·         Wednesday 18 January 2023, 8am PROVISIONAL MEETING

·         Wednesday 8 March 2023, 8am

·         Wednesday 17 May 2023, 8am

·         Wednesday 5 July 2023, 8am

Note:  These minutes are subject to approval as a correct record at the next meeting of the Forum.

THESE MINUTES HAVE BEEN PRODUCED, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, ON RECYCLED PAPER

FROM: 

Parveen Akhtar

City Solicitor

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Contact: Committee Secretariat, Asad Shah 01274 432280