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Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Held virtually via Microsoft Teams

Contact: Rosalyn Patterson - email:  rosalynpatterson@gateshead.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Andrew Fowler.

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 217 KB

The Forum is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 January 2021

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

3.

Growth Fund Applications pdf icon PDF 260 KB

Carole Smith, Resources and Digital

Minutes:

A report was received informing the Forum of two applications for Growth Funding received.

 

Emmaville Primary School previously received funding as a growing school, however the increase of pupils between October 2019 and October 2020 was seven.  Therefore this did not meet the growth threshold of more than 16 pupils or a 10% increase in pupil numbers.

 

Whickham Secondary School made an application due to pupil growth as the school had taken above its PAN at the request of the local authority. However, the increase of 13 pupils between October 2019 and October 2020 did not meet the threshold of more than 40 pupils of 8% of the total roll.

 

RESOLVED    -           Schools Forum noted that both applications for Growth

Funding have been turned down and both schools have the right to appeal to a Subgroup of Schools Forum.

 

*Steve Haigh declared an interest in this item as CEO of Whickham Secondary School.

4.

High Needs Commissioned Places pdf icon PDF 222 KB

Carole Smith, Resources and Digital

Minutes:

The Schools Forum received a report on the proposed commissioning arrangements for High Needs Places for 2021/22.

 

It was noted that all special schools and the PRU will receive funding of £10,000 per commissioned place and ARMS will receive £6,000 per place for a pupil registered at the school plus mainstream funding for that pupil and £10,000 per vacant place.  Data is gathered annually in October and the Forum was provided with the proposed commissioned places for 2021/22.

 

It was reported that there are no real changes other than an increase in places at Gibside because of their new build and pupils will be moving there in February half term.

 

RESOLVED    -           That the Forum noted the report.

5.

Dedicated Schools Grant - Quarter 3 pdf icon PDF 428 KB

Claire Reid, Resources and Digital

Minutes:

The Forum received the quarter three projected outturn position of DSG for 2020/21, up to the end of November 2020.

 

The DSG budget for 2020/21 is £105.673m and at quarter three the projected year-end outturn for the year was £104.958m, an underspend of £715,000.

 

The underspend relates to the Early Years Budget as it does not include the Spring Term. Also, the High Needs Budget has spent less than budgeted.

 

It is expected that the DSG reserves balance will increase to £1.729m at the end of March 2021, this takes into account for a clawback in relation to the 2019/20 Early Years adjustment.

 

It was suggested that an understanding is required as to the expected strain on SEN over the next six months across all sectors. It was noted that at the next meeting of the Forum, the 2021/22 budget position will be outlined so it will be evident what High Needs funding is available as it is expected to be a high pressure area as the country comes out of the pandemic.

 

RESOLVED    -           That the Schools Forum noted the content of the report.

6.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

18 March 2021 at 2.00pm

Minutes:

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 18 March 2021 at 2.00pm.

 

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