Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

This purpose of this report is to provide the Cabinet Member with an update on the latest developments in respect of the future school revenue funding arrangements for 2018-19 onwards.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

a.         Note the Department for Education's proposed changes to the school revenue funding arrangements for 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020, as set out in sections 4 and 5.

b.        Note that full national funding formula for 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020 will be confirmed by the Department for Education in September alongside the responses to the national funding formula consultations.

c.         Note that the Local Authority level allocation for 2018 to 2019 for the schools, central school services and high needs blocks will also be published by the Department for Education in September. Final allocations will follow as usual in December, on the basis of pupil numbers recorded in the October census.

d.        Endorse the proposals for implementing the funding formula arrangements locally as set out in section 6.

The report was introduced by Richard Webb, Finance Manager. 

In response to questions Richard advised that the Department for Education had published further details regarding the national funding formula this afternoon (14 September). The finance team will now be reviewing this information and undertaking the necessary financial modelling. As outlined within the report, further information on the funding arrangements, together with feedback on phase one of the local consultation will be brought back to the October Portfolio meeting.

DECISIONS: the Cabinet Member

(1)  Noted the Department for Education's proposed changes to the school revenue funding arrangements for 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020, as set out in sections 4 and 5 of the report. 

(2)  Noted that the full national funding formula for 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020 will be confirmed by the Department for Education in September alongside the responses to the national funding formula consultations.

(3)  Noted that the Local Authority level allocation for 2018 to 2019 for the schools, central school services and high needs blocks will also be published by the Department for Education in September.  Final allocations will follow as usual in December, on the basis of pupil numbers recorded in the October census.

(4)  Endorsed the proposals for implementing the funding formula arrangements locally as set out in section 6 of the report.