Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Tom Coles and Mike Stoneman (Deputy Director Children, Families and Education). 

Councillor Horton declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest as she is the Vice Chair of Governors at Craneswater Junior School. 

Purpose of report

To provide the Cabinet Member with an update on the latest developments in respect of the future school revenue funding arrangements for 2018-19 onwards.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

(1) Note the Department for Education's proposed changes to school revenue funding arrangements for 2019-20 as set out in this report.

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

·           Schools block will remain intact as set out in paragraph 4.3;

·           Minimum per pupil funding levels will be implemented at the recommended rates as set out in paragraph 4.6;

·           To keep those unit values which do not already match the NFF rates under review and amend if necessary, following confirmation of the overall funding allocation as set out in paragraph 4.9;

·           The criteria for allocating growth funding will reviewed in the spring term as set out in paragraph 5.3;

·           The disapplication requests as set out in section 6.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Beverley Pennekett, Finance Manager.  She referred to Appendix 1 and advised the NFF value for prior attainment should read £1,022 and not £1,050.  With regard to the disapplication requests, she added that they had recently submitted a further request in respect of Mayfield which largely mirrors the disapplication shown in the report.  A report will come back to the next meeting seeking formal approval for this. 

In response to a question regarding the disapplication for Charter, Beverley explained that if approval is received, 600 pupils will continue to be protected at -1.5% of their current rates.  Any pupils above that number would receive the appropriate formula funding for that school without the protection.  Protection for 600 pupils will stay with that school until it dissipates. 

Councillor Horton thanked officers for all their work on the report

DECISION: The Cabinet Member:

(1)  Noted the Department for Education's proposed changes to school revenue funding arrangements for 2019-20 as set out in this report.

(2) Approved the proposals for implementing the funding formula arrangements locally as set out in this report; in particular:

·         Schools block will remain intact as set out in paragraph 4.3;

·         Minimum per pupil funding levels will be implemented at the recommended rates as set out in paragraph 4.6;

·         To keep those unit values which do not already match the NFF rates under review and amend if necessary, following confirmation of the overall funding allocation as set out in paragraph 4.9;

·         The criteria for allocating growth funding will be reviewed in the spring term as set out in paragraph 5.3;

·         The disapplication requests as set out in section 6.

Purpose

To inform the Cabinet Member for Education of the recommendations arising from the SEND Strategic Review relating to managing the spend within the High Needs Block and the actions that have been taken in response to this in order to manage these pressures.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Education:

(1)  Notes the recommendations that have been made as a result of the SEND  Strategic Review (as set out in Appendix I).

(2)  Endorses the actions that are being implemented in response to these recommendations (as set out in Section 4).

(3)  Agrees to the proposals to manage the spend within the High Needs Block for 2019-20 (as set out in Section 5).

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Julia Katherine, Head of Inclusion.  She explained this is a Cabinet Member decision but this will be taken to Schools Forum tomorrow (10 October) to seek endorsement.  The SEND Strategic Review was grant funded and was completed in June 2018.  There were 49 recommendations arising from the review to manage the growing need, which are included in the appendix to this report. 

In the last few weeks officers have met with the headteachers most affected by the changes and as a result of their feedback there is a change proposed to paragraph 5.4.4 regarding reducing the number of primary inclusion centre places.   Julia explained that currently there are nine schools with inclusion centres with the most places for infant phase children, slightly fewer for Junior and fewer again for secondary.  The inclusion centres are spread across the city and for different areas of need.  One of the recommendations from the strategic review was to review and remodel inclusion centres to ensure sufficient places for some children who will always need specialist provision.  The original proposal was to reduce the number of infant phase inclusion centres by six.  Following discussions with schools, headteachers had expressed a lot of concerns about this due to the increase in demand for specialist SEN provision.  Julia advised that it would therefore be sensible for officers to do some more work on this and to bring a further report back to the Cabinet Member when completed. 

In response to questions from the Cabinet Member, Julia advised the following:

·         The inclusion centres rate refers to the top up.  They would still receive the element 2 funding for the place it would just be the top up that moves with the child.  If the inclusion centre was not full the school would not receive the top up funding.  Currently the centres are all full and the need is increasing. 

·         If a school felt they were unable to meet needs on the band that had been allocated they will need to present evidence as part of the annual review, which would then be considered.  The key is that the objectives of the plan are achieved; if the school choose to deliver the provision is a different way that still achieves the same objectives, this would be fine as long as the parents are in agreement.    

The Cabinet Member commented that she welcomed officers engaging with the headteachers and listening to their comments regarding the inclusion centre places and said she had also received some feedback from headteachers. 

DECISION:The Cabinet Member:

(1) Noted the recommendations that have been made as a result of the SEND Strategic Review (as set out in Appendix I).

(2) Endorsed the actions that are being implemented in response to these recommendations (as set out in Section 4).

(3) Approved the proposals to manage the spend within the High Needs Block for 2019-20 as set out in section 5 namely:

• A 1% reduction in special  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.