Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

To provide an update on progress regarding the implementation of the school revenue funding arrangements for 2019-20 and to seek the necessary approvals at this stage.

Recommendation

That the Cabinet Member:

Approve the proposals for implementing the funding formula arrangements locally as set out in this report; in particular:

·         To amend the percentage of funding allocated to notional Special Educational Needs (SEN) as set out in paragraph 4.3;

·         The disapplication request as set out in paragraph 5.3.

The report was introduced by Beverley Pennekett, Finance Manager, and was designed to provide an update on progress regarding the implementation of the school revenue funding arrangements for 2019-20.  The decisions included the percentage of unit values to be identified as the notional Special Educational Needs (SEN) budget and a disapplication request. 

The unit values within Portsmouth's funding formula were largely similar to national averages, but a significantly lower proportion of overall funding was recognised as being within the notional SEN budget.  Redefining the notional SEN budget would not impact in any way upon a school's funding; nevertheless it was proposed to amend the proportion of funding attached to the notional SEN budget as set out in the report, in order to bring Portsmouth's values more closely in line with national averages.

The Finance Manager went on to say that local authorities could submit disapplication requests to the ESFA, where strict adherence to the legislation as set out in the School and Early Years Finance (England) regulations would generate perverse results for specific schools. Two disapplication requests had already been submitted to the ESFA in respect of the operation of the minimum funding guarantee (MFG), both of which had been endorsed by the Cabinet Member and Schools Forum.  A further request has now been submitted, in respect of the operation of the Minimum Funding Level (MFL) for Mayfield school.

DECISION: The Cabinet Member approved the proposals for implementing the funding formula arrangements locally as set out in the report; in particular:

·                     To amend the percentage of funding allocated to notional Special        Educational Needs (SEN) as set out in paragraph 4.3;

·                     The disapplication request as set out in paragraph 5.3.