Agenda item

To receive and consider a report giving details of the draft 2016/17 schools budget.

Donna Munday presented the Fourth Draft Schools Budget 2016/17 report which was set out on Agenda pages 15-18.  Donna informed that the draft had not changed since February.

Donna drew attention to an early alert to placement of pupils out of the borough.  It was anticipated that these pupils would be placed in the summer term of 2016/17.  Donna flagged up that the £546k underspend in fees for pupils at independent special schools and abroad this year would probably be used for these placements next year.  It was advisable to make a provision for the likely placements next year.

Linda Orr, Special Educational Needs (SEN) Manager explained that there were potentially 6 children who may need specialist placements next year.  Linda stated that the assessment process could take 20 weeks or longer and although it was useful to have the early alert in place, it was difficult to know for certain what level of support each child would require and when.

The Forum was informed that the needs of each individual child varied, and depending on the needs, it could cost anything from £50k to £250k.  Most members agreed that it was wise to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

The Forum questioned what measures/ discussions were taking place to help the secondary schools in the borough that had seen a decrease in their pupils’ numbers from September.  The following points were made in relation to this issue:

·           The opening of new schools had had an impact in the admission numbers of the already established schools.  There had been a significant shift in pupil numbers;

·           It was reported that there were currently 9.4% surplus places in the borough and it was not certain if and when those places would be filled;

·           The vacant places meant a significant reduction in the affected schools’ budgets;

·           Members of the Forum were concerned about the financial situation some schools would be in and thought it may be appropriate to discuss ways to help those schools;

·           It was noted that the concerned schools were already making cuts and taking measures to deal with the situation;

·           Alan Stubbersfield, Interim Head of Learning and Achievement stated that he was already having discussions with the schools in question;

·           Alan pointed out that there was no protection for schools and that decision had been made by Schools Forum.  This could be reviewed by the Forum;

·           Forum members pointed out that they had not been involved in setting up the admissions policy;

·           It was mentioned that the number of pupils on roll would still change and the national funding formula would easy the situation for the schools concerned;

·           Forum was reminded that schools were protected for this financial year, so Forum might decide to consider the 2017/18 budget arrangements in order to help the affected schools;

·           Members felt it would be appropriate to look at the situation in mid-September when the numbers of pupils on roll would be more accurate;

·           Donna explained that the budget had been submitted in January and it was not possible to amend it now.

RESOLVEDThat:

1)     the Forum will review the situation relating to the reduced funding faced by schools with falling numbers on roll in mid-September;

2)     the Forum will consider the financial situation of schools affected by a reduction in pupil numbers when discussing the 2017/18 budget arrangements;

3)     Forum agreed that underspend circa £546k relating to out of borough placements which had slipped from the Spring term to the Summer term be rolled forward into the next financial year;

4)     the Fourth Draft Schools Budget 2016/17 report be noted.