Issue - meetings

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to inform the Cabinet Member of the projected revenue expenditure of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the current financial year 2020-21 as at the end of September 2020.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Cabinet Member:

1.    Notes the forecast year-end budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at 30 September 2020, together with the associated explanations contained within this report.

The report was introduced by Alison Egerton, Group Accountant.

Alison explained that as of the end of September the grant is forecasting an under spend of £1.4million the reasons for which are identified in the report, however particular attention was drawn to the following areas:

·         The growth fund forecast planned under spend of £284,000 which the consultation with schools reported in the earlier report sets out the reason for carrying forward

·         The early years has an under spend which again the proposals in the earlier report cover

As of the end of September payments have been made relating to both high needs settings and the early years providers for the summer term, initial payments have also been made for the autumn term. Forecasts are based on those actual payments plus any projected changes to pupil numbers which has been based on the 2019 activity for both high needs and early years. This is due to the Covid 19 impact.

There has been lower than expected expenditure for the summer term, in particular some of the high needs budgets which is unusual. This could be linked to the national lockdown as this has potentially reduced the number of pupils that have moved either between settings or have requested a new education and healthcare plan assessment.

The net position provides a forecast carry forward of £4.6million as of the end of September. The potential impact of outstanding decisions on any of that carry forward balance has been set out in table 8 of the report.

DECISIONS: The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education:

Noted the forecast year-end budget position for the Dedicated Schools Grant as at 30 September 2020, together with the associated explanations contained within this report.

Councillor Horton thanked all officers and all the schools for their efforts throughout this year.