Agenda item

George Grant reported that draft budgets had been sent out to maintained schools on 24th February 2016.

A request had been made for the detailed analysis of the Schools’ Budget derived from the Authority Proforma Template (APT) and this was tabled at the meeting. This was welcomed by Schools Forum. It sets out the full details of the formula including cash values of the factors. This will also be available on the DfE website in due course, along with these details for all other LAs.

A number of clarifications were sought regarding the APT template.

Ø  The split site factor was included in the template with a value of £102,900. The criteria for the factor had been agreed in December by Schools Forum and it was stated then that two schools would each be eligible to receive the£34,300 allocation: Claycotts and Langley Hall Primary Academy, yet the figure in the APT appears to be for three schools. Clarification of which schools were included was requested.

Ø  A clarification was requested regarding the details behind the PFI factor.

Ø  Clarification was requested of why the primary: secondary ratio is now 1:1.32 not 1:1.33 as agreed by Cabinet.

Ø  Clarification of the 100% scaling factor was requested

It was noted that the Minimum Funding Guarantee is now approximately 3% of the Schools Block, a large increase.

George Grant drew attention to the final part of the report (1.3) regarding the priorities of the finance team.  He acknowledged the reasonable views of Schools Forum and headteachers regarding the finance function, takes responsibility and wants matters to improve. The actions over the coming months should evidence this as responding to schools’ concerns is key.  Communication with schools by individual officers as well as school groups will be addressed to ensure these always meet with the best practice. The Council has individually and collectively spoken with headteachers to understand and act on their concerns. A meeting has already taken place with St. Anthony’s and a collective meeting with headteachers is scheduled; this meeting will be attended by the Council’s S151 Officer. He stated that he would feed back to Schools Forum on any general concerns. 

George reported that the finance team is being restructured and that internal interviews for the senior permanent role were taking place on 8^th March with the intention to go wider if no suitable candidate is found. 

George drew attention to the key activities that will be priorities for the finance team including statutory returns, payments and close down (paragraphs 1.3.2 – 1.3.5).

It was noted that the Early Years Budget is based on the January 2016 census. This budget will be revised, when the Department for Education (DfE) verifies the information. This enables the DfE to confirm the final 2016-17 Early Years block budget. This has been scheduled for July 2016.

The High Needs Block Budget is indicative based on children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision as at January 2016.This will need to be updated for children in SEN provision from 1^st April 2016. It is the Council’s expectations that the Trust will have greater responsibilities around the High Needs Block funding and children with SEN in the near future. A report on this will be presented to Schools Forum as soon as more details are finalised.

Sixth Form funding is also indicative and the DfE will confirm numbers in March / April 2016, following which adjustments will be made and schools notified.

Pupil Premium – this budget will be adjusted in July 2016 when the Council receives the actual figures from the DfE. Last year the DfE made further adjustments in October. It is likely that this will occur again for 2016- 2017.

Grants that affect school budgets will be notified to the LA from the DfE in due course. Schools will be informed and their budgets will be adjusted accordingly.

Other grants which are payable to academies will be allocated directly to them by the EFA and the Growth Fund for academies will be paid in May and September.