The Business Advisor (Schools) will present statements, Document OA Appendices 1, 2 and 3, which set out proposed Schools Block, Central Schools Services Block and Early Years Block centrally managed and de-delegated funds for the 2022/23 financial year.

The statements at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 replace the indicative information that was presented to the Schools Forum on 8 December (in Document NX).

Appendix 3 newly presents the contributions to be made by each maintained primary and secondary school to de-delegated funds held within the Schools Block and how these compare with the contributions made in 2021/22.

Recommended –

The Forum is asked to note the information provided. This will inform decisions and recommendations to be made under agenda item 11.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The Business Advisor (Schools) presented Document OA Appendices 1, 2 and 3, which set out proposed Schools Block, Central Schools Services Block and Early Years Block centrally managed and de-delegated funds for the 2022/23 financial year. He explained that the statements at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 replace the indicative information that was presented to the Schools Forum on 8 December (in Document NX). Appendix 3 newly presents the contributions that are proposed to be made by each maintained primary and secondary school to de-delegated funds held within the Schools Block and how these compare with the contributions made in 2021/22.

In response to the presentation of the documents, the Forum’s discussion focused on the new de-delegation to replace the School Improvement Monitoring and Brokering Grant (SIMB). A member representing maintained primary school headteachers expressed concerns about the transparency of this funding and, in particular, whether any of this funding is allocated to schools and academies that are not located in Bradford (that may provide school improvement services within Bradford). It was clarified that this is not the case. The Vice Chair, and other maintained schools members, asked for further information to be provided on the allocation of these monies and their impact. The Business Advisor verbally provided some information, which has been communicated to maintained schools, on the current 2021/22 academic year SIMB programme, emphasising that the majority of this funding is used to enable school-led support. It was agreed that further information on the allocation and impact of this funding will be provided. A member representing maintained primary school headteacher suggested that the interest being received on the High Needs Block surplus balance should be used instead to fund the SIMB activity, and that the expectation should be that the of cost of de-delegation reduces year on year. The Business Advisor responded to explain that it is not legitimate to use interest on the DSG to support de-delegated funds and he emphasised that the de-delegated funds that are held, including SIMB, only provide services and support that maintained schools directly benefit from.

Following the Forum’s discussion, attending members representing maintained primary schools voted (5 for; 1 against) to de-delegate in 2022/23 for the purpose of replacing the SIMB Grant. The Vice Chair requested the opportunity to contact maintained secondary school colleagues, before taking a final decision.

Resolved –

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

(2)       Attending members representing maintained primary schools voted (5 for; 1 against) to de-delegate in 2022/23 for the purpose of replacing the School Improvement, Monitoring and Brokering Grant (SIMB), as set out in Document OA.

(3)       The member representing maintained secondary schools requested the opportunity to contact maintained school colleagues, prior to deciding on de-delegation for the SIMB Grant in 2022/23 for the secondary phase. This was agreed, meaning that the decision on SIMB de-delegation for 2022/23 for the maintained secondary phase will be taken ‘outside’ the Forum meeting and will be reported to the Forum on 9 March.

LEAD:            Business Advisor, Schools