Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee has asked for a regular update on the work of the Schools Forum.  The last update was presented to the Committee on 12 October 2016. The Schools Forum has met once since on 19 October. The decisions list from this meeting is attached at Appendix 1 of the report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “S”).

                                                            (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee has asked for a regular update on the work of the Schools Forum.  The last update was presented to the Committee on 12 October 2016. The Schools Forum had met once since on 19 October.

The Strategic Director of Children’s Services submitted Document “S” which reported on the principal items that were considered by the Schools Forum on 19 October, which were:

·        Primary and Secondary formula funding arrangements in Bradford for the 2017/18 financial year (the outcomes of our consultation).

·        The consultation on proposals for funding the early years free entitlements in Bradford for the 2017/18 financial year.

·        The consultation on proposals for funding High Needs provisions in Bradford for the 2017/18 financial year.

·        The future position of DSG centrally managed and de-delegated funds.

It was reported that in relation to the Primary and Secondary formula funding arrangements in Bradford, further discussion was now taking place on the values of formulae factors and the value of additional contribution from the Schools Block to High Needs Block pressures.

Members were informed that The Schools Forum had approved the publication of the consultation on the approach to the funding of the early years free entitlements delivered by providers in Bradford (Nursery school, nursery classes and Private, Voluntary and Independent providers) in the 2017/18 financial year. The proposals were put forward in the context of the Government’s proposals for its Early Years Funding Reform (National Funding Formula), an outline of which was provided to the Committee on 12 October. The consultation closed on 28 November 2016.

It was reported that the Authority would more closely assess the potential impact of the proposed funding reduction on our Early Years Foundation Stage outcomes, the financial sustainability of individual providers, the continuation of nursery schools in their current forms, and the sufficiency of free entitlement places.

Members were informed that dialogue was taking place with other local authorities in relation to the Funding Formula Reforms.

Members were informed that the Schools Forum had also approved the publication of the consultation on the approach to the funding of High Needs providers in the 2017/18 financial year. These proposals were put forward in the context of the announcement by Government in July 2016 of the delay in the implementation of National Funding Formula arrangements, with changes now expected to be introduced from April 2018.

An outline of the position of National Funding Formula reforms were provided to the Committee on 12 October.

It was reported that the size and continuing growth of the cost pressure within the High Needs Block was one of key issues for the Local Authority, which the Schools Forum, must manage. The High Needs Block continued to be under significant financial pressure; overspending in 2016/17 in total by £5.6m (10%), and estimated to overspend by a further £5.4m in 2017/18, against the notional DSG budget allocated by the DfE. This was largely the result of demographic stresses, which will continue for a number of years. This overspending was met currently through contributions from the Schools and Early Years Blocks within the DSG.

Resolved-

(1)       That Members expressed concern at the Government’s proposals for its National Funding Formulae Reform and asks officers to ensure that funding is maximised due to the district’s unique deprivation and demographic position.

(2)       That the Committee supports the dialogue taking place with other authorities in relation to the National Funding Formulae.

Action:          Strategic Director, Children’s Services