Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

To inform the Cabinet Member of the initial determination of the schools budget (including individual schools budgets) for 2020-21 and to seek the necessary approvals and endorsements required.

RECOMMENDED that the cabinet member:

a.      Approve the initial determination of the Schools Budget for 2020-21 as set out in Appendix 1.

b.     Approve the 2020-21 Special School, Inclusion Centre and Alternative Provision places as set out in Appendix 2.

c.      Approve the 2020-21 Element 3 Top-up rates for The Harbour Special School, Inclusion Centres (including the addition of an Element 3 Top-up at Trafalgar Inclusion Centre), and Alternative Provision settings as set out in Appendix 3.

d.     Approve the Solent Academies Trust proposal to increase the 2020-21 Element 3 Top-up rates for Solent Academies Trust to include an increase of 1.84% as set out in Appendix 4

e.      Approve the proposal that any carry-forward balances from 2019-20 be used to assist with the continued introduction of the funding reform changes and fund any potential financial pressures arising during 2020-21.

f.       Approve the local funding arrangements in respect of the two, three and four year old early years provision for 2020-21 as set out in section 7 and Appendix 5.

The report was introduced by Angela Mann, Finance Manager. 

In response to a question from Councillor Coles, Alison Egerton (Group Accountant) explained that the early years funding was funded on an hourly rate set by central Government. Portsmouth City Council then agree how to split the funding to give providers and how much to keep for the inclusion fund and any contingency required.    

Councillor Coles added that the SEND hub was a great initiative. 

Councillor Horton said this report had been thoroughly examined by the Schools Forum at their recent meeting and she was happy to approve all the recommendations. 

DECISIONS: the Cabinet Member approved:

a. The initial determination of the Schools Budget for 2020- 21 as set out in Appendix 1.

b. The 2020-21 Special School, Inclusion Centre and Alternative Provision places as set out in Appendix 2.

c. The 2020-21 Element 3 Top-up rates for The Harbour Special School, Inclusion Centres (including the addition of an Element 3 Top-up at Trafalgar Inclusion Centre), and Alternative Provision settings as set out in Appendix 3.

d. The Solent Academies Trust proposal to increase the 2020-21 Element 3 Top-up rates for Solent Academies Trust to include an increase of 1.84% as set out in Appendix 4

e. The proposal that any carry-forward balances from 2019- 20 be used to assist with the continued introduction of the funding reform changes and fund any potential financial pressures arising during 2020-21.

f. The local funding arrangements in respect of the two, three and four year old early years.