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.

As the 6 July meeting was not quorate, the Schools Forum is asked to review and to approve the minutes of the 18 May 2022 meeting. The note, which summarises the briefing that was held for members that attended the 6 July meeting, and which has been circulated to all members, is copied here for completeness.

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 OS, which briefs the Schools Forum on the DfE’s consultation on the Early Years Block for 2023/24 and on the implications of the DfE’s proposals for the funding of providers delivering the early years entitlements, as well as for our Early Years Block management. The report provides the Local Authority’s response to this consultation, which has been submitted. The deadline for responses is 16 September.

The Authority will shortly convene the Early Years Working Group, to consider more closely the DfE’s proposals, as well as to consider our early years entitlement funding arrangements for 2023/24 in response to these. Interested Forum members are invited to attend this Group.

Members are asked to note that our consultation with providers on our early years entitlement funding arrangements for 2023/24 may not begin immediately following the Forum’s October meeting, as is planned for our Schools Block and High Needs Block consultations (please see agenda item 9 below), depending on the timing of the DfE’s announcement of the outcomes of the consultation and the publication of the 2023/24 Early Years Block operational guidance.

Recommended –

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

(2)       Members are invited to attend the Early Years Working Group.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Principal Finance Officer (Schools) will present Document OT, which gives the Schools Forum sight of the Local Authority’s response to the DfE’s latest consultation on the transition to the ‘hard’ National Funding Formula within the Schools Block. The deadline for responses was 9 September. A report on this consultation was presented to the Forum’s 6 July meeting (Document OP).

Recommended –

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

(Jonty Holden – 01274 431927)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present Document OU (Appendices 1, 2 and 3), which provides a briefing on the 2023/24 Dedicated Schools Grant settlement and formula funding arrangements, following the DfE’s announcement on 19 July 2022.  This report provides important background for the development of our formula funding arrangements for 2023/24.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to note the information presented and to begin to consider the implications for the 2023/24 DSG budget planning round and formula funding arrangements.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document OV, which outlines the working principles that are being considered in the development of Bradford’s formula funding arrangements for 2023/24 for the Schools and High Needs Blocks.

The Authority anticipates presenting consultation reports, for Schools Block and High Needs Block formula funding arrangements, to the Schools Forum at the next meeting, with these consultations being published immediately after. Responses to consultations are expected to be considered by the Forum at its December meeting. The Schools Forum will then be required to make its final recommendations on 2023/24 DSG and formula funding arrangements at its January 2023 meeting.

In support of these processes:

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 Block and High Needs Block formula funding arrangements that are anticipated will be set out for consultation in October.

The Authority will contact the District Achievement Partnership to arrange to discuss directly the proposals for the continuation of the EHCP Banded Model (the special school funding formula) for 2023/24.

Recommended –

(1)       The Schools Forum is asked to consider and to comment on the working principles.

(2)       Members are invited to attend a ‘Formula Funding Working Group’ session.

(3)       Members are asked for feedback on how best to communicate as early as possible this term with schools, academies and other providers about arrangements for 2023/24 (in advance of more formal consultation beginning in October).

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document OW, which outlines the School Forum’s 2022/23 Academic Year work programme.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the proposed programme and to consider whether any additional items should be added.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

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.

Please see the published schedule of meetings – the next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 12 October 2022 (City Hall).

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

·         Wednesday 12 October 2022, 8am (City Hall)

·         Wednesday 7 December 2022, 8am (remote)

·         Wednesday 11 January 2023, 8am (City Hall)

·         Wednesday 18 January 2023, 8am PROVISIONAL MEETING

·         Wednesday 8 March 2023, 8am (remote)

·         Wednesday 17 May 2023, 8am (remote)

·         Wednesday 12 July 2023, 8am (City Hall)

(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-