Agenda item
10.30am Report of the Head of Education & Learning and County Treasurer (DEF/16/04) attached
Minutes:
DISCUSSION:
The Forum considered the report of the Head of Education & Learning and County Treasurer (DEF/16/04). There was a correction to the last paragraph of paragraph 1.1, schools carry forward balances, comparing with £20.9m (instead of £20.4m), a net increase of £2.8m (instead of £2.3m).
The Forum also noted the respective minutes of the Schools Finance Group (SFG) of 11 May 2016.
The report (DEF/16/04) covered:-
- DSG (Dedicated Schools Grant) and Schools Funding Outturn 2015/16
- Allocation of carry forward from 2015/16 and
- Mutual Fund Update.
In relation to members’ comments:-
- the DASH underspend of £157,000 was planned for leadership and induction programmes;
- it was noted that there was ongoing work relating to how future funding may be used to address the pressures on the high needs block.
DECISION:
(a) that the DSG 2015/16 outturn position (subject to Statement of Accounts sign off) be noted;
(b) that the allocation of the carried forward under spend from 2015/16 as set out in section 2, table 5 of report DEF/16/04 be approved as follows:-
|
Budget Line |
Amount £’000 |
Notes |
Decision* |
|
Mainstream School balances |
21,248 |
Automatically carried forward in Individual School budgets |
2.2 noted |
|
Total School balances |
21,248 |
|
|
|
De-delegated budgets |
1,012 |
Roll forward 2015/16 underspend into 2016/17 |
2.3 noted |
|
Total de-delegated budgets |
1,012 |
|
|
|
Growth Fund |
2,188 |
Planned strategy to build sufficient revenue budget to cover start up and diseconomy costs of new and expanding schools. |
2.4 approved |
|
Local Learning Communities |
35 |
Some residual costs and issues re new fund codes/collaborative working set up. |
2.5 approved |
|
Emotional, Psychological and Social Wellbeing |
25 |
Academic year funding for Schools Mental Health coordinator |
2.6 All to note (Historic commitment) |
|
Phase Associations |
252 |
Roll forward 2015/16 underspend into 2016/17. DAPH (£83k); DASH (£157k) & SHAD (£12k) |
2.7 approved |
|
Total centrally retained budgets |
2,500 |
|
|
|
Special School Balances |
1,897 |
These are school’s balances and are automatically carried forward |
2.8 noted |
|
Alternative Provision |
48 |
Additional payment required if medical placements remain high in 16/17 and increase in Top up rate |
2.9 noted |
|
Money Following Excluded Pupils |
420 |
Funding to be carry forward for new initiatives for retaining pupils in mainstream education and to avoid exclusions. Introduction of White paper and uncertainty of funding in the future and exclusions still remaining LA responsibility |
2.10 noted |
|
Early Help |
238 |
Phased spend of the Early Help budget. £7k other minor variations |
2.11 noted |
|
Hospital Education |
24 |
Specialised training for hospital staff and additional support in North Devon |
2.12 noted |
|
Atkinson Unit |
58 |
Schools Admin Assistant and agreed funding for JE temporary 2 year contract |
2.13 noted |
|
Primary Support Partnerships |
300 |
Expenditure takes place over an academic year. |
2.14 noted |
|
Nursery Plus |
15 |
Not all schools had claimed for the Summer, Autumn or Spring Term expenses. |
2.15 noted |
|
Total High Needs |
3,000 |
|
|
|
Delay in implementation of reduction in 2 year old provider hourly rate |
70 |
Carry forward requested originally related to a two year plan. The £70k will be required for fund the 2nd year of protection. |
2.16 approved |
|
Free School Meals |
6 |
Low take up of FSM’s. £6k carry forward required for Spring term funding |
2.17 approved |
|
Growth funding for MNU’s on new school sites |
230 |
Growth plan spans financial years. Only 1 new school in 15/16, therefore carry forward required. |
2.18 approved |
|
Early Years Pupil Premium |
50 |
15/16 Ring fenced grant – DfE have confirmed can be spent in 16/17 |
2.19 approved |
|
Total Early Years |
356 |
|
|
|
Total Carry forward requested |
28,116 |
|
|
*(Vote: all phases maintained and academy, PVI on the above).
(c) that it be noted that SFG would consider responses to any LA proposal regarding unallocated carry forward (£1.010m) and refer recommendations to this Forum;
(d) that the year-end Mutual Fund position as set out in section 3 of the report be noted.
ACTION:
County Treasurer (Julian Dinnicombe) and (c) Head of Education & Learning (Heidi Watson-Jones)
Supporting documents:
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