The Business Advisor (Schools) 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.

Emma Hamer and Ian Morrel declared interests for agenda items 6, 7 and 8.

Action: Director of Legal and Governance

As the 6 July meeting was not quorate, and as the 14 September meeting went ahead as an informal briefing rather than as a formal meeting, the minutes from the 18 May meeting are still to be approved. The note, which summarised the briefing that was held on 14 September, and which has been circulated to all members, is copied here for completeness.

Resolved –

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.

No resolutions were passed on this item.

There are no allocations for consideration at this meeting.  

No allocations for 2022/23 were presented and no resolutions were passed on this item.

The Principal Finance Officer (Schools) will present a report, Document OX, which asks the Schools Forum to consider the consultation document, which outlines the proposals for the Schools Block, the funding formula to be used to calculate allocations for mainstream Primary and Secondary schools and academies for the 2023/24 financial year, and the criteria that will form the basis of the allocation of additional funding to maintained schools (and academies where appropriate) from Schools Block centrally managed funds.

The Authority would like now to consult on these proposals. The feedback from this consultation will be presented to the Schools Forum on 7 December. The Forum will then be asked to gives it final views (its recommendations) on 11 January 2023.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to agree that the consultation (Document OX Appendix 1) is published

   (Jonty Holden – 01274 431927)

The Principal Finance Officer (Schools) presented a report, Document OX, which asked the Schools Forum to consider the consultation document, which outlines the Authority’s proposals for the Schools Block, the funding formula to be used to calculate allocations for mainstream Primary and Secondary schools and academies for the 2023/24 financial year, and the criteria that will form the basis of the allocation of additional funding to maintained schools (and to academies where appropriate) from Schools Block centrally managed funds.

The Principal Officer explained that the Authority would like now to consult on these proposals, with the feedback to be presented to the Schools Forum on 7 December. The Forum will then be asked to give it final formal views (its recommendations) on 11 January 2023.

Following the presentation of the report:

·         A member representing maintained primary school headteachers asked whether the Authority has information that can be reported on the number of schools that will fall into deficit as a result of increasing costs. The member explained that they are interested in trends in the growth of the number of schools with deficit budgets. The Principal Officer responded that the Authority (School Funding Team) has very recently published some information (key messages) and modelling for schools, which will support the immediate review of their current year and 3-year budget projections. The Authority does not yet have sight of the updated budget positions of schools following this review and therefore, does not yet have sight of the number of maintained schools that are newly forecasting that they will fall into deficit if no mitigation action is taken. This picture will emerge as maintained schools submit their updated budget positions. The Principal Officer stated that it is anticipated that schools will face financial challenges and will have difficult decisions to take. The Authority will keep the Forum informed.

·         A member representing academies asked whether the Schools Supplementary Grant could now be clawed back (as a result of the cessation of the National Insurance Levy). The Principal Officer responded that the position here was not currently clear and that the Authority is specifically concerned that the 2023/24 settlement, which was announced in July and on which the consultation modelling and proposals that are presented today have been calculated, could be changed (could be reduced to remove the proportion of the Supplementary Grant that related to supporting the National Insurance Levy). There is some information that indicates that the Treasury is planning to remove from April 2023 from the DfE’s departmental budget the £300m that was allocated nationally for the Levy. For school funding, the critical consideration here is whether the DfE amends the 2023/24 settlement to compensate for this.

·         A member representing maintained primary headteachers asked whether most schools gain from the proposed change to Notional SEND. The Principal Officer clarified that there is no material loss or gain in funding as a result of the proposed change, as this is a ‘notional’ figure within formula funding allocations that are governed by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 634.

The Principal Finance Officer (Schools) will present a report, Document OY, which asks the Schools Forum to consider the consultation document, which outlines the formula approach that the Authority proposes to use to delegate High Needs Block funding to high needs providers, mainstream schools and academies and other settings in the 2023/24 financial year April 2023 to March 2024.

The Authority would like now to consult on these proposals. The feedback from this consultation will be presented to the Schools Forum on 7 December. The Forum will then be asked to gives it final views (its recommendations) on 11 January 2023.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to agree that the consultation (Document OY Appendix 1) is published.        

 (Dawn Haigh – 01274 433775)

The Principal Finance Officer (Schools) presented a report, Document OY, which asked the Schools Forum to consider the consultation document, which outlines the formula approach that the Authority proposes to use to delegate High Needs Block funding to high needs providers, mainstream schools and academies and other settings in the 2023/24 financial year April 2023 to March 2024.

The Principal Officer explained that the Authority would like now to consult on these proposals, with the feedback to be presented to the Schools Forum on 7 December. The Forum will then be asked to gives it final formal views (its recommendations) on 11 January 2023.

Following the presentation of the report:

·         A member representing maintained primary school headteachers expressed concern that not uplifting EHCP top-up funding for the full impact of pay award will increase the budgetary pressure that schools face. The member asked whether the High Needs Block surplus should be used to address this. The Chair responded that the Authority has presented plans for the use and retention of the surplus balance, and emphasised that spending within the High Needs Block must be sustainable.

·         A member asked whether there are any plans in place, in case the government claws back the High Needs Block surplus. The Assistant Director, SEND and Inclusion, responded that there is no expectation that the surplus balance will be clawed back.

·         In responding to the proposals regarding the SEND Funding Floor, an academies member asked what is meant by a “minority” of schools. The Assistant Director responded to explain, in essence, this would be fewer than 50% of schools. Members discussed the implications of this definition, and the relationship between the SEND Funding Floor and Notional SEND, and the impact of parental preference of the distribution of EHCPs between schools / academies. Members requested some further modelling, which illustrates the impact of the proposed amendment to the SEND Funding Floor % thresholds on the numbers and types of schools / academies that qualify and how this would change.

·         A member asked about the processes for assessing children and young people for EHCPs, commenting that the administrative process is costly and time intensive. Could the monies used for this instead be given to schools (without EHCP assessment). The Assessment Director responded to explain that EHCP assessment is the primary route for defining the needs of pupils and the funding that supports these needs. The EHCP assessment team in Bradford is relatively small and is funded from Council base budget, not from the DSG. The member responded to comment that the size of assessment team in Bradford needs to be increased.

Resolved –

That the Consultation - High Needs Block Formulae Funding 2023/24 (Document OY Appendix 1) be published.

LEAD:             Principal Finance Officer (Schools)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will provide an update verbally on Early Years Block funding matters. No further announcements, since the 14 September Forum meeting, have been made by the DfE regarding the 2023/24 Early Years Block settlement or Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF) arrangements.

The Early Years Working Group will begin to meet shortly to consider the development of our proposals.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to note the information provided.

 (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Principal Finance Officer provided an update verbally on Early Years Block funding matters. They explained that no further announcements, since the 14 September Forum meeting, have been made by the DfE regarding the 2023/24 Early Years Block settlement or Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF) arrangements, and that the Early Years Working Group will meet shortly to consider the development of our proposals.

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

Resolved –

That the information provided be noted.

LEAD:             Business Advisor (Schools)

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document OZ, which asks the Schools Forum to review the position of Central Schools Services Block, Schools Block and Early Years Block central funds and de-delegated items for the 2023/24 financial year.

Recommended –

(1)       The Forum is asked to review the position of Central Schools Services Block, Schools Block and Early Years Block central funds and de-delegated items, to indicate what further consideration should be given / review work should take place, in advance of making final recommendations and decisions for 2023/24 at the 11 January 2023 meeting.

(2)       Members representing Maintained Primary Schools are asked to decide on de-delegation in 2022/23 for the purposes of purchasing subscriptions to Fischer Family Trust.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Principal Finance Officers (Schools) together presented a report, Document OZ, which asked the Schools Forum to review the position of Central Schools Services Block, Schools Block and Early Years Block central funds and de-delegated items for the 2023/24 financial year.

The Principal Officers explained that the report is presented to initiate the Forum’s consideration of centrally managed funds for the next financial year. Feedback on Schools Block funds, including de-delegation, will be collected within the consultation and will be presented back to the Forum in December. Further information, which has been previously requested by the Forum, on the School Improvement Monitoring and Brokering Grant (SIMB) and the Authority’s school improvement programme, will also be presented in December. However, due to timescales for subscription, Members representing Maintained Primary Schools are asked to decide at this meeting on de-delegation in 2023/24 for the purposes of purchasing Fischer Family Trust software.

Following the presentation of the report:

·         The 4 voting Members that were present at the meeting (with 1 voting member absent), representing maintained primary school headteachers, voted to de-delegate from the primary phase for the purpose of subscribing to Fischer Family Trust for the 2023/24 financial year.

·         In doing so, the Members requested that the Authority communicates again with maintained primary schools, to ensure that all schools are aware that the FFT software has been purchased and is available. Members also requested that the Authority approaches FFT with the aim of providing more training for schools (rather than just a roadshow).

Resolved –

(1)          That the information presented in Document OZ be noted

(2)          That Schools Forum Members did not request at this time the review of any of the centrally managed funds presented in Document OZ.

(3)       That Members representing Maintained Primary Schools decided to de-delegate in 2023/24 for the purposes of purchasing subscriptions to Fischer Family Trust.

LEAD:             Business Advisor (Schools)

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 resolutions were passed on this item.

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

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

Please see the published schedule of meetings – the next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 7 December 2022 (remote).

(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 7 December. This meeting will be held remotely.

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