Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Julie Goodfellow, Andrew Fowler, Mustafaa Malik, Jacqui Ridley and Suzanne Dunn.

The Forum is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 16 March 2023

The minutes of the meeting were approved as a correct record subject to Christina Jones’ representation being amended to ‘River Tyne Academy’.

Carole Smith, Resources and Digital

The Forum received a report on the Government’s response to the consultation on implementing the Direct National Funding Formula (NFF), which was published on 26 April 2023.

It was acknowledged that in terms of impact that would not be known until further details were received. Although, it was noted that falling roles funding could be good for Gateshead.

RESOLVED    -           That the Schools Forum noted the report.

Terence Appleby, Resources and Digital

The Forum received the final outturn position of the DSG for 2022/23.

The DSG budget for 2022/23 was £105.001m, spend was £103.248m meaning an underspend of £1.753m.  Therefore, the DSG reserve balance has increased from £2.255m last year to £3.965m at 31 March 2023.

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

Carole Smith, Resources and Digital

A report was brought to the Schools Forum on the Government’s Spring Budget announcements for the early years sector.

It was reported that there were positive announcements, with an increase in funding rates for 2 year olds and for 3 and 4 year olds. There is an expected increase in the average funding for current 2, 3 and 4 year olds from September 2022.  It was also announced that access to free entitlement will increase from September 2024.

It was noted that funding rates at a local level are not yet known and work will be required to implement these changes in settings within Gateshead.

RESOLVED    -           That Schools Forum noted the report.

The Forum may wish to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds indicated:

Item                                                     Paragraphs of the Schedule 12A to the Local

Government Act 1972

7                                                                      3

RESOLVED    -           That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during

discussion of the remaining item.

Carole Smith, Resources and Digital

The Forum received a report on the request for financial difficulty funding for Furrowfield Special School, following initial report to the last meeting.

Michelle Richards declared an interest in this item and left the meeting prior to the discussion. Sarah Diggle declared in interest in this item and did not take part in discussion on the decision.

RESOLVED    -           That Schools Forum agreed to fund the full £221,979.07 that

relates to unavoidable additional costs for 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Thursday 6 July 2023 at 2.00pm

Thursday 6 July 2023 at 2.00pm.