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.

No interests were declared.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2023 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Asad Shah – 01274 432280)

In introducing the meeting, the Chair welcomed Victoria Merriman as a new member to the Forum. The Chair alerted members to the DfE’s error and revision, published on 6 October, of the 2024/25 financial year Schools Block funding settlement and National Funding Formula and thanked the Business Advisor (Schools) and his team for responding swiftly to provide amended modelling to this meeting.

The Business Advisor (Schools) reported on progress made on “Action” items from the 13 September meeting. He reported that:

·         Item 707 (Early Years Supplementary Grant): A document is included in the meeting reports pack under matters arising, providing an initial response to the question that was asked at the last meeting about why Bradford’s EYSG allocation is below national medians. This is a holding response pending further information to be presented to a future meeting.

·         Item 708 (Early Years Block funding): an update will be provided verbally to this meeting.

·         Item 709 (DSG and Formula Funding Announcements): The briefing note that was tabled to the September meeting (Document OG) is included again in the reports pack for this meeting as a useful point of reference for members. However, due to the DfE’s error and amendment of the 2024/25 Schools Block funding settlement and National Funding Formula, elements of this note are now inaccurate and are replaced by the additional briefing note, which is presented to this meeting.

·         Item 710 (Formula Funding Arrangements & Consultations): The Schools Block and High Needs Block consultations are presented to this meeting. We ran 3 FFWG sessions, which were attended by 10 members and substitute members.

·         Item 711 (High Needs Block Forecast and Mitigation Plan Development): A small number of members have contacted me to sit on the working group. This group will be convened shortly.

Resolved –

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

(2)       That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2023 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 resolutions were passed on this item

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document QJ, 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 2024/25 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 6 December. The Forum will then be asked to gives it final views (its recommendations) on 10 January 2024.

Recommended –

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

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document QJ, which asked 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 2024/25 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 Business Advisor explained that the Authority would like now to consult on these proposals. The feedback from this consultation will be presented to the Schools Forum on 6 December. The Forum will then be asked to give it final views (its recommendations) on 10 January 2024.

However, the Business Advisor also explained that the figures contained within the consultation document included in the agenda pack, and the modelling, is revised as a result of the DfE’s publication on 6 October, where the DfE has explained that an error has been made by DfE officials in the calculation of the 2024/25 Schools Block settlement and National Funding Formula, to the extent that the allocations per pupil that will be received by all local authorities and all schools and academies through the National Funding Formula in 2024/25 are now lower than the allocations that were announced on 19 July. For Bradford, the difference is 0.9% / £4.5m in cash terms. The Business Advisor referred to the additional briefing note, which has been sent to members, which explains the differences in the settlement and provides further updated modelling. He clarified that the regulations, framework and technical construct of the Schools Block and National Funding Formula in 2024/25 are still as published on 19 July. What has changed is the value of funding that is allocated. This makes the 2024/25 settlement a much leaner settlement for mainstream primary and secondary schools and academies.

In responding to the Business Advisor’s presentation, members asked the following questions and made the following comments:

·         A number of members expressed their disappointment, dissatisfaction and concern regarding this position. Firstly, the additional work that this error has caused / will cause, both for the Local Authority as well as for schools and academies, where budget planning and decision making for 2024/25 will now need to be substantially revised. This is at a time when the DfE is pushing for reducing workload on schools. Secondly, that this is now a lower settlement in per pupil terms than was previously announced, meaning that school and academy budgets will be directly negatively affected.

·         The Strategic Director asked members to consider how the Forum should communicate this situation to schools, but also how to communicate to the DfE the Forum’s concern and dissatisfaction. Following discussion on this, members resolved that the Chair further discusses with the Business Advisor how to express the Forum’s concerns (such as in a letter to the Secretary of State copying in our local MPs). The Business Advisor also informed the Forum that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 724.

The Principal Finance Officer (Schools) will present a report, Document QK, 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 2024/25 financial year April 2024 to March 2025.

The Authority would like now to consult on these proposals. The feedback from this consultation will be presented to the Schools Forum on 6 December. The Forum will then be asked to gives it final views (its recommendations) on 10 January 2024.

Recommended –

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

 (Dawn Haigh – 01274 433775)

The Principal Finance Officer (Schools) presented a report, Document QK, 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 2024/25 financial year April 2024 to March 2025. The Authority would like now to consult on these proposals. The feedback from this consultation will be presented to the Schools Forum on 6 December. The Forum will then be asked to give it final views (its recommendations) on 10 January 2024.

The Principal Officer took members through the main points of the consultation document, especially focusing on the uplift of the Banded Model and the methodology for this. In response to this presentation, members asked questions and made comments, which were generally focused on the overall position of Bradford’s High Needs Block and the level of uplift that is proposed in 2024/25 in the context of the challenges that are faced by schools:

·         A member representing maintained primary school headteachers asked why EHCP top-up funding amounts, as proposed, are not increasing at the same rate as inflation, and why element 2 remains at £6,000, especially when the High Needs Block currently holds a significant surplus balance. An academies member added to this question, to stress that schools as well as the Local Authority are under financial pressure and a consequence of the Authority’s proposals is that schools will apply back to the SEND panel for more funding. The view put forward is that the High Needs Block surplus should be released now to support the financial pressure that schools face. The Business Advisor and the Chair of the Forum responded to these questions and comments with reference to the strategic discussions / agreements that have been had / made in the Forum over the last 2 years regarding the current High Needs Block surplus - the use of small proportion of this surplus (£0.920m) in support of inclusion but then the holding of this as part of the mitigation and management of the future forecasted deficit. The Business Advisor highlighted again for members that the High Needs Block is forecasted to overspend by £14m in 2024/25 and by £22m in 2025/26, and on this basis, the High Needs Block would be cumulatively in deficit at the end of 2025/26. Members were reminded that a working sub-group of the Forum is about to be convened to continue discussions on these matters and on mitigation. One of the elements of mitigation is exercising restraint in the way our Banded Model incrementally annually increases in the lead to the expected introduction of a national Banded Model following the national SEND review. The Business Advisor clarified that the element 2 £6,000 is a fixed national figure, which the Authority cannot adjust from. In response to these explanations, the member representing maintained primary schools added that the Authority has recently lost out on a free school  ...  view the full minutes text for item 725.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will provide an update verbally on Early Years Block funding matters. No further announcements, since the 13 September Forum meeting, have been made by the DfE regarding the 2024/25 Early Years Block settlement or Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF) arrangements.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to note the information provided.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) provided a quick update verbally on Early Years Block funding matters. He explained that no further announcements, since the 13 September Forum meeting, have been made by the DfE regarding the 2024/25 Early Years Block settlement or Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF) arrangements. The Authority has been modelling behind the scenes and the Early Years Working Group (EYWG) is convened for 19 October. Members that are interested in attending the EYWG are welcome and should email the Business Advisor.

Resolved –

That the information presented be noted.

The Business Advisor (Schools) will present a report, Document QL, 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 2024/25 financial year.

Recommended –

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 2024/25 at the 10 January 2024 meeting.

Members representing Maintained Primary Schools are asked to decide on de-delegation in 2024/25 for the purposes of purchasing subscriptions to Fischer Family Trust.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented a report, Document QL, 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 2024/25 financial year. In his presentation, the Business Advisor highlighted that:

·         The Central Schools Services Block faces increased pressure, which must be considered as part of the 2024/25 decision making round.

·         A report will be presented to the next meeting in December, which will ask the Forum to consider a request from the Local Authority to increase the funding of centrally managed support services within the Early Years Block in response to the extension of the early years entitlements.

·         Further information will be presented to the next meeting in December on the use and impact of the de-delegated school improvement monies that have been held for the 2022/23 academic year.

·         Subject to confirmation on levels of buy in for 2023/24, because buy in to the Authority’s collective Trade Union Facilities Time arrangements remains very strong, it is anticipated that the cost per pupil contribution for schools can be reduced in 2024/25 (by an estimated 5%). This will be confirmed at the next meeting in December.

·         The Authority has concluded that, due to the continued conversion of maintained primary schools to academy status, there will not be sufficient ‘critical mass’ to continue to deliver an effective and efficient maternity / paternity insurance scheme. As such, to give primary schools time to plan, the Authority signals now that this scheme is expected to cease at the end of the 2024/25 academic year.

·         Members representing maintained primary schools are asked to take a decision on whether de-delegation for the purposes of subscribing to Fischer Family Trust software continues in the 2024/25 financial year. The Authority’s recommendation is that de-delegation now ceases. The 2 voting members that were present at the meeting both agreed this recommendation.

Members did not have any questions and did not make any comments on the report.

Resolved –

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

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

(3)       Members representing Maintained Primary Schools decided to cease to de-delegate in 2024/25 for the purposes of purchasing subscriptions to Fischer Family Trust.

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 resolutions were passed on this item.

Please see the published schedule of meetings – the next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 6 December 2023 (remote).

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-

Please see the published schedule of meetings – the next Forum meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 6 December 2023. The 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