Agenda item

Michael Jarrett presented a report outlining the proposed use of £791,000 centrally retained funds across the Early Years Block. It was noted that for 2018-19, the DfE had mandated a reduction in centrally retained funds for English LAs from 7% to 5%.  It was noted that this was a pressure alongside the roll out of 30 hours’ provision. It was noted that there could be changes depending on take up.

The details of the centrally retained Early Years funding for 2018-19 set out in the report, including paragraph 4.5, were noted and lines of expenditure approved.

It was noted that, during previous years, funding had been made available to Littledown for behaviour support but the take up had been poor. It was suggested this should be reviewed to possibly introduce a pay-as-used system and Michael Jarrett would discuss this further with the Headteacher of Littledown.  In answer to a query, Michael Jarrett confirmed he did not understand why this was the case, querying whether there was a misunderstanding amongst providers, as it was advantageous to start such support in the early years.  It was noted that there was a need to raise the profile and market the provision. It had been suggested this issue applied also to the Disability Access Fund and it was noted that work had already been carried out around this.