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.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2022 be signed as a correct record.

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

There are no allocations for consideration at this meeting.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document ON, which provides an update on the Forum’s membership, continuing from the report (Document OI) that was presented on 18 May 2022.

Recommended –

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

 (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document OO, which provides the initial confirmation of carry forward balances held within the Dedicated Schools Grant at the close of the 2021/22 financial year.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to note the information provided.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Principal Finance Officer (Schools) will present a report, Document OP, which provides a briefing on the DfE’s latest consultation on the transition to the ‘hard’ National Funding Formula in the Schools Block, which was published on 7 June 2022. The deadline for responses to this consultation is 9 September 2022.

Recommended -

(1)       The Schools Forum is asked to note the information presented.

(2)       The Schools Forum is asked to consider the key points of feedback that the Forum wishes the Local Authority to include in its response to the DfE’s latest consultation on the ‘hard’ National Funding Formula.

(Jonty Holden – 01274 431927)

The Business Advisor (Schools) and the Principal Finance Officer (Schools) will present a report, Document OQ, which provides an overview of local formula funding review priorities for the 2023/24 financial year across the Schools Block, the Early Years Block and the High Needs Block.

Recommended –

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

(2)       Forum Members are asked to note that the Early Years Working Group will be convened early in the autumn term to begin to more closely consider the Early Years Single Funding Formula for the 2023/24 financial year.

(3)       Forum Members are invited to (remotely) attend a ‘Formula Funding Working Group’ session, on Tuesday 27 September (8am) or Wednesday 28 September (8am) or Tuesday 4 October (8am). As in previous years, these sessions will enable Forum Members to consider in more detail the impact of national formula funding decisions and to explore and guide the proposals for 2023/24 for Bradford’s Schools and High Needs Block formula funding arrangements that are anticipated will be set out for consultation in October.

(Jonty Holden – 01274 431927)

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Assistant Director, SEND and Inclusion, the Strategic Manager, Intelligence and Sufficiency, and the Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document OR, which provides an update on High Needs Block matters, including the development of the plan for the High Needs Block surplus balance and the development of new additional specialist places.

Recommended –

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

(Niall Devlin – 01274 431356)

 (Emma Hamer – 01274 439535)

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

The Forum is asked to note the information provided.

         (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

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

The next Forum meeting is planned for Wednesday 14 September 2022.

Please note that the planned dates of meetings for the 2022/23 academic year in full 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-