Agenda item

That the decision of 8th February 2018 on the schools funding formula taken by the Director of Children, Learning & Skills under delegated authority granted by the Cabinet on 20th November 2017 be noted.

The Lead Member for Children & Education introduced a report that notified the Cabinet of the decision taken by the Director of Children, Learning & Skills under delegated authority in relation to changes to the schools funding formula.

There was a two year transition process leading towards the implementation of the ‘hard’ National Funding Formula (NFF) in April 2020.  The Cabinet had considered a report on the matter on 20^th November 2017 and had given delegated authority to the Director due to tight timescales involved.  Further consultation with schools had taken place and the Schools’ Forum had considered a report at its meeting on 17^th January 2018 with three options:

1.  Retain the status quo.

2.  Move half-way towards the NFF.

3.  Implement the NFF in full from 2018-19.

Responses from schools indicated that 78% favoured Option 2 which would provide a more gradual introduction in any significant changes to the budgets for individual schools.  This recommendation was put to and agreed by the Forum on 17^th January and the Director had then made the decision under delegated authority.  It had been a requirement that Cabinet be informed of any decision taken under delegated authority and the report was therefore noted.

Resolved –  That the decision of 8th February 2018 on the schools funding formula taken by the Director of Children, Learning & Skills under delegated authority granted by the Cabinet on 20th November 2017 be noted.