Agenda item

Annual consultation on 2017-2018 High Needs Block

Minutes:

Coral Miller advised this report was to consult with Schools Forum on the 2017-18 High Needs Block budget.  The High Needs budget is £22.739m for 2017-18 which was made up of the DFE contribution of £22.130m, the Council’s contribution to PFI of £309k and an additional £300k transferred from the Schools Block. This year hard to balance as looking at estimated overspend of £500,000.  Coral reported that the Council and Trust were conducting financial reviews on the whole High Needs Block with the aim of achieving a balanced budget as soon as possible as part of a 3 year plan.

 

Appendix A of the report (page 29) was the indicative January budget. 

Appendix B set out the draft centrally retained budgets for 2017/18.

 

Maggie Waller queried what PFI was on Appendix A as this had not been on the budget before.  Coral advised she would look into this and advise the Schools Forum and High Needs Group.

 

Robert Hardy stated that the Academies Place Funding figures need further scrutiny.  The number of places was more than advised.  Coral Miller stated this may be to do with some schools reverting to academies.

 

Helen Huntley asked if the place funding for 17/18 could be provided to schools.  Coral Miller would send through Gatekeeper.

 

Paul McAteer asked for some clarification regarding independent special schools. Robert Hardy mentioned that many were driven by the location of social care placements.  He advised that 60% of children fostered through Slough were out of borough.

 

Coral Miller advised that Further Education had been added to funding.  She also advised that some lines needed re-badging so they were clearer.  She would update these and circulate to the group. 

 

It was agreed that High Needs Block be added to the July Schools Forum agenda.

Supporting documents: