Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

(1)  To inform the Cabinet Member for Education of the projected revenue expenditure within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the current financial year 2017-18 as at the end of December 2017. 

(2)  To provide an update on the 2018-19 predicted pressures following further information from the Department for Education (DfE) and Special Educational Needs and Disability team.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

(1)  Notes the forecast year-end budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at the end 31^st December 2017, together with the associated explanations contained within this report.

(2)  Notes the potential pressures for 2018-19 and impact on the brought forward balances.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Alison Egerton, Group Accountant.  She explained that the budget is where officers would expect it to be at this point in the financial year however there are a number of pressures in the high needs budget, particularly with out of city budgets and pupils with EHCPs.  The pressures in the high needs budget are progressing into 2018/19 and since setting the 2018/19 budget a number of further pressures have been identified.   

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member, Ms Egerton advised that the Head of Inclusion will be bringing a report on the SEND Strategic Review to the March Education Cabinet.  Mr Stoneman advised that there would also be a paper going to the Schools Forum at the end of February on the SEND Review and the emerging recommendations will go to the SEND Review Board.  A further paper will be considered by the Schools Forum about how the council will manage the high needs block going forward.   

DECISION: The Cabinet Member

(1) Noted the forecast year-end budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at the end 31st December 2017, together with the associated explanations contained within this report.

(2) Noted the potential pressures for 2018-19 and impact on the brought forward balances.