Vera Njegic to report.
Minutes:
Consideration was given to the report presented by Vera Njegic, Principal Officer (Schools Finance), which set out the indicative proposals and sought approval decisions (where needed) for two areas of the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2020/21:-
· Schools block.
· Central schools services block.
This requirement to consult with schools, academies and the Schools’ Forum was in respect of planned changes to the local funding formula including the method, principals and rules that were to be adopted. The final decisions in respect of the local formula remained with the Local Authority.
It was, therefore, necessary for the Schools’ Forum to decide upon specific elements in accordance with the powers and responsibilities assigned to the Schools’ Forum by the ESFA.
There were changes proposed both in terms of the formula factors being used and the individual rates that would be applied to those factors. Nationally, the ESFA were looking to reduce basic entitlement and increase those payable under additional educational needs (particularly low attainment).
Last year the Local Authority suggested that the future years should be used as a transition to the national funding formula and where possible seek to change local factors/rates to bring them in line with the national ones as this would provide for the best possible transition to the national formula. This was a view that was supported within Schools’ Forum and the strategy that Rotherham had adopted.
To ensure schools and academies were in receipt of the indicative increase in the 2020/21 Local Authority’s schools block allocation and due to the fact that local rates for primary, KS3 and KS4 AWPU were significantly higher than those under the NFF the Local Authority was aiming to increase the MFG to between +1.0% and +1.84%.
A vote was, therefore, required on a number of proposals which were based on the consultation responses received from individual schools and academies. which were set out in detail as part of this report.
In accordance with the regulations, only certain members were allowed to participate in a vote regarding the local funding formula. Other members that did not represent schools could engage and participate in discussions, but were not eligible to vote.
Discussion ensued on the process of the consultation, where it had been distributed to, voting by proxy and the responses received.
Agreed:- (1) That the report be received and the contents noted.
(2) That the voting as indicated below be incorporated into the school and academy local funding formula for 2020/21 (as far as was possible) for submission to the ESFA on the 21st January, 2020:-
Question 1 – do you agree with the principle that Rotherham is adopting in terms of prioritising an increase to the MFG?
Vote:- 9 For 0 Against
Question 2 – considering the borough as a whole, and to ensure support for the most vulnerable children and young people in the district, do you support the Local Authority’s request to transfer 1.5% from the schools block to the high needs block?
Vote:- 9 For 0 Against
Question 3 – do you agree that the Local Authority should continue to provide for a growth fund? It is estimated for 2020/21 a budget of £700,000 is required.
Vote:- 9 For 0 Against
Question 4 - do you agree that funding from the central school services block can continue to be held centrally for the services outlined above?
Vote:- 9 For 0 Against
Question 5 – do maintained schools wish to de-delegated monies to create a Financial Difficulties Contingency fund of £150,000 to support those schools with a financial deficit position?
Vote:- 0 For 3 Against
Question 6 - do maintained schools wish to de-delegate funds again for trade unions (£1.95 per pupil), they would no longer need to buy back from the portfolio of services?
Vote:- 0 For 3 Against
Action:- Neil Hardwick/Vera Njegic