Agenda

This report is primarily for information and provides high level information on the DSG 2021/22 funding settlement.

Very limited information is available on Early Years, with marginal increases in funding for 3 & 4 year olds and 2 year olds. The application of these marginal increases is included in tables 7 and 8 for agreement with Schools Forum.

This report provides an exemplification of the schools funding formula, based on the NFF values incorporating the 2% uplift. This forms the basis of the APT for Schools Form to approve for submission to the DfE on 21st January 2021.

The report also seeks forum’s guidance on the application of the remaining settlement after the maximum distribution from the funding formula.

The report also confirms the de-delegation levels based on principles agreed in December.

This report considers the pressure on the High Needs Block and the requirement to progress towards a recovery plan with the Department for Education (DfE).

The report notes the work progressing on the mitigation plan, however the pace and associated costs of the increasing number of Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) continues to place a financial burden on the High Needs Block

Report to be considered alongside the Schools funding report item 6.

Following agreement from the Schools Forum at their meeting on the 10th December 2020, this report considers the options in relation to the support of the services previously supported by the Education Services Grant (ESG) which are now partially financed by the General Fund and partially from the Central Schools Services Block (CSSB). 

1         Provides information on the application of the 5% central retention of the early entitlement funding block for 2021/22. (report as requested by Schools forum) 

2         Notes the current arrangements for inclusion funding

3         Seeks agreement to a change to the existing arrangements to ensure we are following current statutory expectations and to ensure equity and transparency across the Early Years sector.

Following consultation regarding extending the academies risk protection arrangement to local authority maintained schools, ‘Ministerial approval was given and changes to the School and Early Years Finance regulations have been put in train to allow for the RPA to operate for LAMS (local authority maintained schools) from 1 April 2020.’

·       Term Time Only

·       Covid Grant Claims

Future meetings

All meetings will be held between 16.30 and 18.30

Sub Group meetings