Issue - meetings

Focus of Future Meetings

Paul Miller stated that previous meetings of the Forum had focussed largely on financial matters. Whilst finance would remain a key element of the Forum’s work, Paul felt that discussion on broader educational issues such as admissions and high needs should feature more on the agenda for future meetings.

De-delegated Contingency Underspend

Lynne Samuel reported that, for 2020/21 budget setting, it was proposed that £50k be realigned from de-delegated contingency to the staff cover budget, reflecting the increased costs in this area.

Funding for Foundry College

This was covered in the High Needs Block Update report on the Agenda. Jay Blundell stated that the 2019/20 budget figure of £960k should be £970k. This would be discussed outside the meeting.

2018/19 Central Block “Miscodings”

Lynne Samuel reported that a review of the transactions involved had identified that the miscoded spend was all DSG related and was, in part, a result of business rate adjustments. Further work was ongoing to establish options for resolution in-year. Additional checks and balances would be put in place for future years.

Early Years Block and Provider Reserve

Lynne Samuel reported that the schools’ finance team were working on the presentation of a termly reconciliation report that would provide the Schools Forum with greater visibility on the Provider Reserve Fund held within the Early Years Block.

Schools Formula Changes

Lynne Samuel reported that, further to the discussion at the previous meeting, the idea of transferring 0.5% of the Schools Block budget to the High Needs budget would not be pursued in 2020/21. Sal Thirlway had written to Schools Forum members confirming this decision.