Agenda

Purpose

This report updates Schools Forum on the use of the new funding stream for 2 year olds, contained within the Dedicated Schools Grant, and the proposals for 2014-15.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Schools Forum:

a.         Note the successful progress within the report in respect of the increase in 2 year old place provision.

b.        Agree the budget allocation in 2014-15 of 2,910,800 for 2 year old places and £359,600 for related trajectory funding.

c.         Agree that £79,000 is continued to be held centrally to provide resources to target settings with regard to capacity and quality improvement

d.        Agree that any underspend in the Trajectory funding in 2013-14 is carried forward and allocated to the Trajectory budget in 2014-15 to support the continued investment in the market growth and infrastructure

Purpose

Under the 'School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2013, the local authority must not later than 28^th February 2014:

a.     Make an initial determination of their school budget; and

b.     Give notice of that determination to the governing bodies of the schools they maintain.

The purpose of this report is therefore to inform Schools Forum of the initial determination of the schools budget for 2014-15 and to seek the necessary approvals required.

Recommendations

It is recommended that Schools Forum:

a.     Approves the determination of the schools budget at Appendix 1, together with the supporting explanations contained within this report.

b.     Approves the indicative Element 3 Top-up rates for the Special Schools as set out in Appendix 2 and agree that officers continue to finalise these with the Special Schools.

c.     Agrees the Element 3 Top-up rates for Resourced Units and Alternative Provisions settings set out at Appendix 2.

d.     Agrees to the allocation in 2014-15 of the 'exceptional circumstances' funding as set out in paragraphs 7.7 to 7.9.

e.     Agree that any under-spends on the de-delegated budgets at the end of 2013-14, will be carried forward to be used for the same purposes in 2014-15.

f.       Agree that any carry-forward balances from 2013-14 (other than in those referred to in 'e' above, and the 2 Year Old Trajectory in the separate agenda item) be used to assist with the continued introduction of the funding reform changes and fund any potential financial pressures arising during 2014-15.

g.     Note the change in Growth Fund criteria to meet the requirements of the Education Funding Agency in section 10.

Purpose of report

A report was presented to Schools Forum on 17July 2013 advising on the level of schools revenue and capital balances as at 31 March 2013 and their planned use. A further report on those schools with the largest uncommitted revenue balances was presented to Schools Forum in December 2013.

This report considers the options available in respect of re-instating the school balances claw-back mechanism, as requested by Members at the December meeting. In addition, this report also considers the options as part of the raising educational standards agenda in Portsmouth.

Recommendations

It is recommended that Schools Forum:

a.    Considers and approves one of the following options, subject to consultation with maintained schools:

       i.    To implement a new "balance control mechanism" to clawback excessive balances as set out in Appendices 2 and 3; or

      ii.    To continue to operate without a "balance control mechanism", and implement the proposals set out in paragraphs 6.14 to 6.16 and Appendix 3.

b.    Endorse a further report to be presented to Schools Forum considering the options available for utilising school balances to support initiatives to raise educational standards in Portsmouth.