Agenda item

To receive and consider the Draft School Block Budget 2018/19 report.

The Forum received a report which provided an update on the draft 2018/19 budget.

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

·         The budget presented was an estimate.  The actual budget was expected to be released next week.

·         There would be a number of changes to the school block funding from 2017/18 to 2018/19.  Previously the actual unit cost per child was the same for both Primary and Secondary; however, in the 2018/19 budget, the DfE had introduced separate unit costs for Primary and Secondary; the Primary Unit of Funding (PUF) and Secondary Unit of Funding (SUF) and an additional amount for premises which included lump sum, business rates and other premises costs.

·         The final funding allocation would be available from 18 December 2017 when the DfE had checked and incorporated the October 2017 census number into the funding calculation.

·         Coral Miller took the Forum through Table A which compared the 2017/18 unit cost with the new 2018/19 unit cost and premises allocation.  Under the new regulations, at least 99.5% of the amount received through the school block must be allocated to schools and the growth fund.

·         Coral Miller would clarify whether the Reception uplift was continuing when the new guidance was issued.

·         The changes agreed by the Task and Finish Group and used in setting the budget included;

Ø  Adjusting the minimum funding guarantee (MFG) to 0% so no school lost funding per pupil from last year.  Any positive MFG required an application to the Secretary of State;

Ø  Reduction in the Lump sum of £25,000 per school;

Ø  Increase Primary prior attainment to £500;

Ø  Cap the gains to 3%;

Ø  Change ratio to 1:1.28.

·         In response to a question from Paul Miller, Coral Miller confirmed that a number of models had been considered and the one used had been considered the most appropriate.

·         Appendix A detailed the numbers on roll by school.  There were a number of reductions in some of the secondary school numbers in particular which would have an impact on individual school funding.

·         Appendix B looked at the unit costs after the Minimum Funding Guarantee.  This included premises costs as well as pupil led factors.  Coral Miller explained that the reason that some schools were losing out on the per pupil factor was that the premises cost was fixed whereas the pupil led factor was variable.  The big reduction in unit costs for Bulmershe School for last year was highlighted.  Coral Miller clarified that this was because the school’s business rates had been overstated in the previous year and was now being claimed back.

·         Appendix C detailed the actual amount that the schools were likely to receive.  45 schools would gain whilst 18 would see a reduction.

·         Sylvia Allen asked about the 2019/20 budget.  Jane Winterbone suggested that the Task and Finish Group look at moving to the second phase towards the national funding formula once the 2018/19 budget was settled.  The Chairman thanked the Task and Finish Group and Finance staff for their hard work.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.