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Agenda item

Report of Chief Officer for Children’s Services and County Treasurer (DEF/19/10) attached.

 

Minutes:

DISCUSSION:

 

The Forum considered the report of the Chief Officer for Children’s Services and County Treasurer (DEF/19/10), as well as noting the respective minutes of the Schools Finance Group (SFG) of 6 November 2019.

 

The report covered:-

-2020-21 Schools Funding (including DCC consultation with schools responses)

-Delegation and De-delegation

-Centrally Held Funding.

 

A total of 105 (29%) school responses had been received (compared to 155 last year), with analysis in the report’s appendices A-E.  In respect of the movement between DSG blocks (paragraph 1.35 of the report), school views had been sought regarding transferring up to  0.5% from the schools block in 2020-21 (one year only, not a permanent basis).  However due to further developments and likely requirements by the DfE members felt it prudent to further consult schools at this stage on this particular point. It was felt that schools were more likely to consider transferring funds if these could be utilised to pump prime a specific project of benefit to all schools as part of a DSG recovery plan, rather than to just offset the HNB deficit.   The consultation outcome would need to be considered during the next cycle of DEF meetings and for submissions to DfE in January 2020.    The Forum was mindful of the HNB in the short term for next year’s budget, the 5-10 year plan and HNB culture.

 

DECISION:

 

(a) that Cabinet be recommended to approve the proposals for the 2020-21 schools revenue funding formula (as set out in section 1 (1.43) of report DEF/19/10) i.e. to:-

(i)   remove the reception uplift in line with the national funding formula factors

(ii)  increase the primary lump sum to £110,000

(iii) set the MFG at plus 0.5% rising to plus 1.84% depending on affordability

(iv) set all NFF factors at the new rates prescribed in the October 2019 operational guidance (v)  increase AWPU for all pupils if funding permits;

 

Note (i) – (iv) above: that the final funding rates may change subject to affordability when the October 2019 pupil data and Schools Block DSG settlement is confirmed in late December 2019.

(Vote: Schools, Academies and PVI members)

 

(b) that the views expressed by schools regarding transferring 0.5% to the High Needs block be noted, but that further consultation on this be carried out without delay;

 

(c) that the de-delegation proposed services for maintained primary and maintained secondary schools be approved (as set out in section 2.3) of report DEF/19/10) be approved on a maintained primary/secondary basis, i.e:-

(i)  behaviour support services

(ii)  support to under-performing ethnic groups and bilingual learners

(iii) licences and subscriptions

(note: All licensing is covered by a national licence and the DfE charge the local authority except CLEAPPS (LEA Provision of Science Services)

(iv)  trade unions

(v)  jury service /magistrates duties

(vi) maternity

(vii) contingencies (including schools in financial difficulties and exceptional events);

(Vote: Maintained primary members)

(Vote: Maintained secondary members)

 

(d) that the centrally held funding allocations (as set out in section 3.4) of report DEF/19/10) be approved i.e. to:-

(i)  continue to give £60,000 for the Emotional, Psychological and Social Wellbeing Service, co-produced by Public Health Devon and schools

(ii)  retain the funding centrally at the same level as 2019-20 for Phase Associations

(iii) retain the funding centrally at the same level as 2019-20 for Schools Admissions Service;

 (Vote: Schools, Academies and PVI members)

 

(e) that consultation responses in appendices D and E relating to sections 2.3 and 3.4 of report DEF/19/10) be noted;

 

(f) that the local authority’s disapplication requests that have been applied for and awaiting approval be noted (section 4.1 of report DEF/19/10).

 

ACTION: 

 

County Treasurer (Adrian Fox)

Supporting documents:


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