Agenda

Purpose.

The purpose of this report is to provide the Schools Forum with an initial summary and impact assessment of the proposals contained within the 'school funding formula' consultation documents issued by the Department for Education on 7 March 2016.

RECOMMENDED that the Schools Forum:

a.    Note the Department for Education's proposed changes to the school funding arrangements and the potential impact of these changes, as set out within this report;  and in particular:

2017-18

 i.    The transitional period for 2017-18 and 2018-19. Funding to Local Authorities would be allocated on a national formula basis, but Local Authorities would continue to distribute this to schools based on a local formula.

ii.    Additional ring-fencing. The 'Schools Block' funding will be ring-fenced within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

iii.    Creation of a new 'Central Schools Block' which will include the 'retained duties' element of the Education Services Grant (ESG).

iv.    The Introduction of a formulaic method for distributing High Needs funding from central to local government from 2017-18 (including Special Education Needs (SEN) and Alternative Provision (AP)).

v.    The proposed fundamental review of Schools Forum.

2019-20

vi.    The implementation of a single National Funding Formula from 2019-20 (at a school level), with funding being passed directly by the Education Funding Agency.

vii.    Withdrawal of current de-delegation arrangements.

b.    Note the submission of the response to stage 1, of the Department for Education's consultation, as shown at Appendix 1.

c.    Endorse the creation of a working group to guide and inform the development of the local funding arrangements for 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 as set out in section 10.