Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Councillor Suzy Horton declared a personal interest as she is Vice Chair of governors at Craneswater Junior School.

Purpose of report

The purpose of this report is to:

a.     Seek approval for the final stage submission to the Education Funding Agency (EFA), of the 2018-19 mainstream school revenue funding pro-forma for the Primary and Secondary phases.

b.     Inform the Cabinet Member of the initial determination of the schools budget (including the individual schools budgets) for 2018-19 and to seek the necessary approvals and endorsements required.

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet Member:

a.     Approve the proposed changes to the mainstream schools revenue funding formula as endorsed by Schools Forum on 17 January 2018.

b.     Approve the school revenue funding pro-forma at Appendix 2 for submission to the EFA.

c.     Endorse the amount of the growth fund for 2018-19 at £342,600.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Beverley Pennekett, Interim Finance Manager.  She explained that at the meeting on 15 January officers had put forward a proposed formula however some late information had been received shortly before the meeting from the DfE, revising the pupil datasets in respect of free school meal eligibility.  The Cabinet Member had decided to seek the views of the Schools Forum on the three available options.  The Schools Forum had discussed this at their meeting on 17 January and decided that option 2 was the best option.  This was to use the released funding to increase the primary IDACI Bands E and F factors by £12.00 and £20.00 respectively. 

Following the Schools Forum meeting, DfE provided approval for a disapplication request, which had the effect of making further funding available for distribution to schools.  The final proposal therefore was to increase the IDACI Bands E and F by a further £1.50 and £2.00 respectively.  Councillor Hockaday said she was happy to agree the proposal, which was in accordance with option 2 as put forward by the Schools Forum. 

Councillor Horton said she had attended the Schools Forum and reinforced that this a really good decision as if there is extra money available it needed to be distributed to schools. 

Councillor Hockaday thanked officers for all their hard work in preparing these reports. 

DECISIONS: The Cabinet Member:

a.  Approved the proposed changes to the mainstream schools revenue funding formula as endorsed by Schools Forum on 17 January 2018.

b.  Approved the school revenue funding pro-forma at Appendix 2 for submission to the EFA.

c.  Endorsed the amount of the growth fund for 2018-19 at £342,600.