Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Peter Largue, Sarah Diggle, Jim Thomson and Michelle Richards.

The Forum is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on X

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2017 were agreed as a correct record.

Carole Smith, Corporate Resources

The Forum received an update report on the progress of the Early Years Formula sub group and the proposal for the Early Years Funding Formula for 2017/18.

The main changes in the guidance were identified;

·         Maintained nursery school grant reduced

·         Efficiency and additional 15 hours supplements removed

·         Quality supplement and EAL have been added

·         Inclusion fund is now mandatory – an officer group is currently looking at this.

It was reported that from April 2017 there must be a 93-95% pass through rate to providers, as well as a single universal base rate for all providers. In addition, supplements must not be more than 10% of the total value of planned funding to be passed through to providers, with deprivation being the only mandatory supplement.

The sub group looked at the optional supplements and it was decided that rurality and sparsity supplement was not required, flexibility was also discounted because it is hard to quantify. Quality supplement was agreed to be used to encourage settings to employ more highly qualified staff.  EAL was discounted as currently there is no data, this will be collected from January 2017 and once available the supplement will be reveiwed for possible use.

The sub group met on 28 November and looked at four models;

1)    90% base rate, 10% deprivation

2)    95% base rate, 5% deprivation

3)    90% base rate, 5% deprivation and 5% qualification

4)    90% base rate, 3% deprivation and 7% qualification

It was confirmed that at its meeting the sub group agreed model three should be taken forward for consultation with all settings.

Carole Smith, Corporate Resources

The Forum received a report on the proposed early years funding consultation document. It was noted that, if Forum agrees, the document will be circulated to all early years settings and the feedback brought back to the next meeting of the Schools Forum in March.

Carole Smith, Corporate Resources

The Forum received a report on the proposed amendments to the Special School Funding Formula for 2017/18.  The amendments are proposed following meetings of the Special School Funding Review Group, at which five out of the six schools must agree to changes.

It was reported that in this instance all six schools agreed to the proposals to even funding out. It was noted that, in order to comply with regulations, there can be no losses of more than 1.5%.  Eslington will lose 1.49% and it was also noted that there would be losses in terms of social, emotional and mental health, however gains in ASD and cognition and learning specialist areas.

It was proposed that there be an increase of £18,000 in fixed costs for Gibside for the increased space at Blaydon Children’s Centre, this is due to the increase in pupil population.

The point was made that the Council should do more to support the schools by charging less rent for the Children’s Centres.

Alan Foster, Corporate Resources

A report was presented on the proposed mainstream schools top up rates from April 2017.

It was reported that top-up funding would be maintained at Teaching Assistant level 3. There is a projected 26% overspend of £139,000. It was proposed to calculate the 2017/18 bandings at the same rate as 2016/17 but with the deduction of 1.5% in line with minimum funding guarantee.

It was questioned whether this was looking at the need of young people or rather the rationing of funding, and what would happen if the Forum did not approve. It was confirmed that both factors need to be considered and if the Forum did not approve there would be an option of going to the Secretary of State for approval. 

Concerns were raised that this position is cutting the support available in all settings and that the Ofsted area review may influence the decision. It was noted that agreement is needed before 1 April and that no feedback from the area review has yet been received. It was also acknowledged that no additional information would be available by the next meeting.

The decision on this item went to a vote.

Carole Smith, Corporate Resources

A report was presented on the proposed commissioning arrangements for High Needs Places for 2017/18.

There was a discussion around ARMS places and it was suggested that a representative from the commissioning team be invited to a meeting to discuss the issue further and provide clarity.

Carole Smith, Corporate Resources

The Forum received a short verbal update.

Thursday 9 March 2017 at 2.00pm

The date and time of the next meeting is Thursday 9 March 2017 at 2.00pm.