Agenda item

To receive and consider a report giving an update on the 2020/21 formula changes.

Lynne Samuel presented the Update on 2020/21 Schools Formula Changes report which was set out in agenda pages 37-39.

Lynne Samuel stated that The Operational Guide for 2020/21 had now been published by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), and was the first of several publications which set out the procedures to be followed in determining the budgets funded by the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).  She stated that the DfE fact sheet could cause some confusion for schools as it only provided illustrative allocations whereas the final allocations for 2020/21 would be based on updated data and pupil numbers and determined by applying the authority’s local allocation formula.  The Task and Finish Group would be reviewing the criteria for inclusion in the local formula.  Lynne Samuel went through the changes as described on page 38 of the report.

Derren Gray, who chairs the Task and Finish Group, stated that the Group had been looking at three different allocation models.  The recent announcement by the DfE gave more money than had previously been thought.  He stated that this reflected increased inflationary factors and additional funding recently announced by the government. There was a current national consultation on making the Minimum Per Pupil Funding levels a mandatory requirement from 2020/21.

Paul Miller stated that there were three Schools Forum representatives and four colleagues from schools in the Borough on the Task and Finish Group, who were engaged in working out the best model for Wokingham.  It was helpful to have the insight of the Task and Finish Group to enable more clarity in the decision making process.  

Paul Miller suggested that a similar Task Finish Group could be set up for the Early Years sector.  The Early Years representatives agreed that this was a good idea and officers agreed to contact them to organise it.

Lynne Samuel stated that Forum should consider the possibility of transferring 0.5% of the Schools Block to the HNB.  She acknowledged that this was previously not accepted by Forum and that in previous years the Local Authority had applied for disapplications which were declined by the DfE.  However, due to the ongoing pressure on the HNB, this option should be explored.  The timeline to apply for this was very tight as the disapplication would have to be submitted before the next meeting of the Forum.

During the discussion of the item the following comments were made:

·           Derren Gray stated that the Task and Finish Group had modelled the 2020/21 Budget assuming this proposal was not approved, in view of the increased allocation in the Schools Block and the guaranteed minimum 8% increase in the HNB;

·           In response to a question Derren Gray stated that there were no representatives from special schools in the Task and Finish Group;

·           Members felt that it was inappropriate to make a decision on the possibility of moving 0.5% from the Schools Block to the HNB at this meeting due to the fact that this had not been on the agenda and there was no formal representation or paperwork to consider;

·           Members were informed that the deadline for applying for disapplication was on 11 November;

·           Paul Miller suggested the possibility of consulting with Schools Forum via email;

·           Lynne Samuel stated that she was aware that there was much work to be undertaken to resolve the deficit in the HNB, however there was an opportunity to collectively do something about it;

·           Some members stated that they were opposed to this proposal as it would take away money from schools;

·           Some members questioned why this proposal had not been on the agenda.  Lynne Samuel apologised that this was giving the wrong impression to Forum.  She stated that there was a desire to be transparent with Forum, and that this was an option that needed to be considered under the current circumstances;

·           Members asked if the Local Authority intended to apply for disapplication if this proposal was refused.  Carol Cammiss stated that a decision had not yet been made;

·           Sara Attra stated that the special schools provisions in the Borough were running in a deficit position, there had been no uplift for five years.  She also stated that there should be a representative from special schools in the Task and Finish Group;

·           Members felt that this information could have been shared earlier.  Carol Cammiss stated that the Local Authority was still waiting for the DfE feedback, and she agreed that there was work to be done around our own special schools.  She was considering other alternatives and was likely to ask for an extension to the disapplication date.

RESOLVED That the report be noted.