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.

Emma Hamer declared an interest in all agenda items.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2023 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Asad Shah – 01274 432280)

The Business Advisor (Schools) reported on progress made on “Action” items from the 8 March meeting. He reported that:

·         Item 673 (Falling Rolls Fund): The Falling Rolls Fund will be discussed further in the presentation of the latest information on the development of the National Funding Formula, which is presented under agenda item 8.

·         Item 675 (Letter to the Secretary of State): The Forum resolved that the Chair, on behalf of the Schools Forum, writes to the Secretary of State primarily on the issue of the insufficiency of Early Years Block funding. Shortly after the last Schools Forum meeting however, the Government announced more funding for Early Years. The details of this are still to be provided but are imminently expected. So, the letter from the Chair has not yet been sent, as we are waiting for the details of the additional allocations, before framing its content. One aspect, in particular, that we will wish to contain in our letter will be influenced by the extent to which the additional funding is allocated across all local authorities or is (as we would argue it should be) weighted towards the local authorities, like Bradford, that have only received 1% increases in funding rates in 2023/24

The Business Advisor then reported on other matters arising:

·         Scheme for Financing Schools April 2023: There were no directed revisions to the Scheme for April 2023 and therefore, our Scheme for maintained schools remains unchanged. It has been re-published only to amend Annex 1, which provides an updated list of schools maintained by the Local Authority on 1 April 2023.

Resolved –

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

(2)       That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2023 be signed as a correct record.

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

No matters were raised and no resolutions were passed on this item.

No resolutions were passed on this item.

There are no new allocations for consideration at this meeting. 

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

No resolutions were passed on this item

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document PV, which provides an update on the Forum’s membership and composition and how the Local Authority will now seek to refresh the Forum’s membership.

Members are asked to approve the proposed approach to the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Schools Forum for the 2023/24 academic year.

This report presents the annual update of the Forum’s Conduct of Meeting and Procedures document (Appendix 2). Forum Members are asked to consider and to approve Appendix 2.

Recommended –

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

(2)       The Schools Forum is asked to approve the proposed approach to the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Schools Forum for the 2023/24 academic year.

(3)       The Forum is asked to approve Appendix 2 (Forum Conduct of Meetings and Procedures) for the 2023/24 academic year.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented Document PV, which provided an update on the Forum’s membership and composition and how the Local Authority will now seek to refresh the Forum’s membership for September 2023. Members were asked to approve the proposed approach to the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Schools Forum for the 2023/24 academic year. Forum Members were also asked to consider and to approve Appendix 2 (the Forum’s Conduct of Meeting and Procedures document).

Following the presentation of the report, the Chair expressed his appreciation to members for the work that they do and also asked members to encourage any school or academy colleagues that show an interest in the work of the Schools Forum to come forward.

Forum members did not have any other comments and did not ask any questions on the report.

Resolved –

(1)       That the information provided in Document PV be noted.

(2)       The Schools Forum approved the proposed approach to the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Schools Forum for the 2023/24 academic year.

(3)       The Schools Forum approved Appendix 2 (Forum Conduct of Meetings and Procedures) for the 2023/24 academic year.

LEAD:            Business Advisor, Schools

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document PW, which provides further details of the Government’s 15 March 2023 Budget Statement: on the extension of the early years entitlements, on the allocation of additional Early Years Block monies for the delivery of the current entitlements from September 2023, and on the development of wrap-around provision in schools and academies.

At the time of writing this report however, the detailed information, which is required in order for us to decide our responses to the receipt of additional Early Years Block monies for the period September 2023 to March 2024, which is the most immediate matter, is still to be published by the DfE. We therefore, can only outline at this time how we anticipate these additional monies may be allocated and the wider matters that we need to consider. In its consultative role, we ask for views from the Schools Forum on this outline. Depending on the timing of the publication of further details, a report will be presented to the Schools Forum at the next meeting, which will set out how these additional monies will be allocated.

The Authority anticipates presenting a report to the next meeting, which will begin to more closely consider the formula funding changes that may need to be made from, and the financial implications for the DSG and for the Early Years Block of, the extension of the early years entitlements, beginning at April 2024. This will need to be worked through within our 2024/25 DSG and formula funding decision making cycle. The Local Authority expects to convene the Early Years Working group shortly to begin to consider these matters more closely.

Recommended –

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

(2)       The Schools Forum is asked for any initial feedback on the allocation of the additional Early Years Block monies that Bradford will receive for the period September 2023 to March 2024, as outlined in the report.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented Document PW, which provided further details of the Government’s 15 March 2023 Budget Statement: on the extension of the early years entitlements, on the allocation of additional Early Years Block monies for the delivery of the current entitlements from September 2023, and on the development of wrap-around provision in schools and academies.

He explained that the detailed information, which is required in order for us to decide our responses to the receipt of additional Early Years Block monies for the period September 2023 to March 2024, which is the most immediate matter, is still to be published by the DfE. We therefore, can only outline at this time how we anticipate these additional monies may be allocated and the wider matters that we need to consider. In its consultative role, we ask for views from the Schools Forum on this outline. He explained that the Authority anticipates presenting a report to the next meeting, which will begin to more closely consider the formula funding changes that may need to be made from, and the financial implications for the DSG and for the Early Years Block of, the extension of the early years entitlements, beginning at April 2024. This will need to be worked through within our 2024/25 DSG and formula funding decision making cycle.

Following the presentation of the report, the Strategic Manager, Intelligence and Sufficiency, explained that the Authority has drafted a sufficiency and implementation plan for the delivery of the extended entitlements, though this needs to be informed by detailed guidance still to be provided by the DfE. She reported that the Authority is having many conversations with providers. One aspect of feedback from providers so far has been that, if the rate of Government funding is not sufficient to meet the cost of delivering the extended entitlements, providers may either opt out of delivery or may cap numbers, which may have implications for the overall sufficiency of places. Currently, the Authority assesses that we have sufficient places across the District, but this could be affected where providers opt out or cap numbers. The Strategic Manager also highlighted that the Authority will need to closely assess the impact of the entitlement extension on the early assessment of SEND and on the sufficiency of specialist places.

The Chair thanked the Strategic Manager for the work that her team is doing behind the scenes. He asked whether information on sufficiency is available for the Forum to consider. The Chair explained that he wishes the Forum, in its decision making, to have good information on which to take a strategic view about the use of DSG funding and the setting of provider funding rates, so that we, as part of managing the complexities, can avoid decisions that may have unintended consequences for the delivery of the extended entitlements going forward. The Strategic Manager responded that the Council’s childcare sufficiency plan is published and that a link can be provided for the minutes, here:

https://www.bradford.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/looking-for-childcare/childcare-sufficiency-assessment/

The Chair  ...  view the full minutes text for item 688.

The Principal Officer (Schools) will present a report, Document PX, which The Principal Officer (Schools) will present a report, Document PX, which provides an update on the DfE’s development of the ‘hard’ National Funding Formula for the Schools Block. This information is critical in our development of our 2024/25 DSG and formula funding proposals. It is also critical, as the DfE’s SEND Green Paper improvement plan, which was published in March 2023, places emphasis on changes associated with SEND and Alternative Provision funding being managed within the development of the hard National Funding Formula.

Recommended –

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

(Jonty Holden – 01274 431927)

The Principal Officer (Schools) presented Document PX, which provided an update on the DfE’s development of the ‘hard’ National Funding Formula for the Schools Block. He explained that this information is critical in our development of our 2024/25 DSG and formula funding proposals. It is also critical, as the DfE’s SEND Green Paper improvement plan, which was published in March 2023, places emphasis on changes associated with SEND and Alternative Provision funding being managed within the development of the hard National Funding Formula.

Following the presentation of the report, the Chair highlighted for members the summary points on page 34, regarding the implications of the DfE’s announcement for the 2024/25 formula funding round, and encouraged members to talk to schools and academies colleagues about these.

A member representing academy special schools expressed concern that the financial position of schools and academies is very fragile, with depleting carry forward surplus balances, and that what appears to be coming in the next few years is very worrying, in terms of the impact that this will have on the quality of education. The Chair responded to acknowledge these concerns, and to explain that the Forum’s roles are to help formulate a response, to help colleagues understand what may be coming in the future, and to support the development of a strategic management plan, working within the limitations that are present, such as the quantum of funding available.

Resolved –

That the information presented in Document PX be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document PY, which provides an overview of the position of revenue balances held by maintained schools at 31 March 2023.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to note the information provided.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented Document PY, which provided an overview of the position of revenue balances held by maintained schools at 31 March 2023.

The member representing the teaching trades unions, expressing concern that the financial situation for schools is bleak, asked the Business Advisor whether we have a sense of (whether we can calculate) the amount of additional funding that is needed in order to “resolve the problem”. The Business Advisor responded to try to explain that this would be very difficult to calculate. The Chair, using the experience of his school and looking more widely the snap-snot of the value of balances held by schools at the end of the 2022/23 financial year, commented on the scale of growth in costs to school budgets over time, and the insufficiency of funding to match this growth over time, which has contributed to the current and future predicted situation.

Resolved –

That the information presented in Document PY be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools), with support from the Assistant Director, SEND and Inclusion, will present Document PZ.

The Local Authority presented the latest version of the Authority’s DSG Management Plan to the Schools Forum on 11 January 2023 (Document PP). Within this plan, the Authority stated that our forecast currently identifies that there is clear risk of a cumulative deficit building within our High Needs Block by the end of the 2025/26 financial year, as a result of recurrent structural in-year over spending, and that the risk of cumulative deficit by the end of the 2026/27 financial year is then high. We stated that our forecast identifies that mitigating action will need to be taken in order to prevent the accrual of a cumulative deficit balance within our High Needs Block, and that this will be a piece of work for the Authority to discuss within the Schools Forum during 2023. We indicated that mitigating action will need to be considered within the 2024/25 DSG and formula funding decision making cycle.

The Forum resolved on 11 January, that the Local Authority presents to, and discusses with, the Forum its ‘mitigation plan’, which is to be developed.

Document PZ provides an update and presents the beginnings of the considerations behind the development of ‘mitigating’ actions, for the Forum’s awareness and review.

Recommended -

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

(2)       The Schools Forum is asked for its view on if (and how) it wishes to contribute more specifically to the development of a mitigation plan.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented Document PZ. He explained that the Local Authority presented the latest version of the Authority’s DSG Management Plan to the Schools Forum on 11 January 2023. Within this plan, the Authority stated that our forecast identifies that there is clear risk of a cumulative deficit building within our High Needs Block by the end of the 2025/26 financial year, as a result of recurrent structural in-year over spending, and that the risk of cumulative deficit by the end of the 2026/27 financial year is then high. We stated that our forecast identifies that mitigating action will need to be taken in order to prevent the accrual of a cumulative deficit balance within our High Needs Block, and that this will be a piece of work for the Authority to discuss within the Schools Forum during 2023. We indicated that mitigating action will need to be considered within the 2024/25 DSG and formula funding decision making cycle. The Forum resolved on 11 January, that the Local Authority presents to, and discusses with, the Forum its ‘mitigation plan’, which is to be developed. Document PZ provides an update and presents the beginnings of the considerations behind the development of ‘mitigating’ actions, for the Forum’s awareness and review.

Following the presentation of the report, the Chair reminded members that the Forum has previously asked for the Local Authority to develop a mitigation plan, as well as a clear strategy for the sufficiency and sustainability of SEND provision and of the High Needs Block. The Chair’s suggestion, which was agreed by Forum members, was that a working group of members be convened, at the point the Authority has developed the draft, for the purpose of discussing and reviewing this. The Business Advisor indicated that such a group would be convened early in the new academic year.

The Strategic Manager, Intelligence and Sufficiency, reminded members that, had we been successful in our bid for a special school free school, that this school would not have established for 4-5 years and that the Authority already has in place a strategic plan for the creation of additional specialist places in the short to medium terms, which the Forum has previously received reports on. She did highlight however, that there have been no further announcements from the DfE regarding capital funding for local authorities, and that the sufficiency of capital funding is likely to remain a challenge.

Responding to the report, a member representing academy special schools expressed concern regarding the significant pressures and challenges that schools and academies currently face, and that the DfE’s SEND Green Paper only represents a longer term programme of change (not a fix for current issues, which are serious).

Responding to the aspect of the report, which discusses the transfer of monies from mainstream schools and academies (from the Schools Block) to the High Needs Block, an academies member asked whether top slicing schools and academies would just serve to make existing financial stresses worse. Another academies  ...  view the full minutes text for item 691.

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)

No matters were raised and no resolutions were passed on this item.

No resolutions were passed on this item.

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

Forum members welcomed David Johnston’s invitation to make a presentation to a future Forum meeting on the work of the Children’s and Family’s Trust.

A presentation be made to the Forum on the work of the Children’s and Families Trust.

The next Schools Forum is planned for Wednesday 12 July 2023.

(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 scheduled is Wednesday 12 July. This meeting will be held remotely.

For planning purposes, the provisional schedule for Schools Forum meetings for the 2023/24 academic year has now been set, as follows:

·         Wednesday 13 September 2023, 8am

·         Wednesday 11 October 2023, 8am

·         Wednesday 6 December 2023, 8am

·         Wednesday 10 January 2024, 8am

·         Wednesday 17 January 2024, 8am PROVISIONAL MEETING

·         Wednesday 6 March 2024, 8am

·         Wednesday 22 May 2024, 8am

·         Wednesday 10 July 2024, 8am

Please see the published schedule of meetings – the next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 12 July 2023.

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