Agenda item

Coral Miller reported that Slough Borough Council have, for a number of years, had increasing pressure from growth in the High Needs block provision without any corresponding additional budget to cope with these pressures from the DfE.

Robert Hardy has explored other options from Slough Children Trust. It was confirmed that the request for the top slice was a one-off and not a permanent move of the £300k to the High Needs Block but no assurances could be given that future requests may not be made.

Paul McAteer had written to Edward Timpson, Minister of State for Vulnerable Children and Families regarding High Needs funding in Slough but had received no response at this time.

Schools Forum understands the pressures on the High Needs Block but was concerned about the unevenness of the impact on individual schools and concerned regarding ongoing reductions and the impact on standards.

The financial implications of the report are outlined in the supporting information that has been provided.

It was noted that the LA is not proposing any changes to the local funding formula for 2017 /18.  However, there are changes at national level that have considerable adverse effects on schools’ and academies’ budgets. There was considerable discussion about the impact of the DfE changes to both IDACI and prior low attainment funding and the impact of new school places being funded from the DSG from the start, meaning over 350 places not funded by the DfE but top sliced from all schools.

It was noted that more schools are in Minimum Funding Guarantee which masks the impact of any losses but year on year this has real impact with some schools now in the fifth year of losing under MFG.

Angela Mellish asked that the LA make very clear to governors and schools how the top slices necessary have been calculated and clarifies the definition of the MFG.

The Task Group (5-6 formula) is to look at the budget implications in more detail.

It was suggested that there may be a business case to be put by SBC to ask for more funding for new school places as an LA with such a high growth rate.

Jo Rockall suggested that a letter should be submitted from the Schools Forum to the Secretary of State, Lord Nash, Ms Fiona McTaggart outlining the impact of the budget. Maggie Waller and John Constable will proceed with this letter. 

Coral Miller will report at the next additional Schools Forum meeting which will be held on Thursday 9th February 2017 Venue is TBC

It was noted that Phase 2 of the National Funding Formula consultation had been published by the DfE and Schools Forum members stressed the importance of a full response and for all schools to respond individually in addition.  The March Schools Forum would focus on this response and share its response with all schools.