Agenda item

Report by Neil Hardwick and Vera Njegic, Schools Finance.

Recommendation:-  That members of Schools’ Forum note the content of thereport and that votes be undertaken with the appropriate members of the Schools’ Forum to agree the school and academy local funding formula for 2021/22 for submission to the ESFA January 2021.

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 (DSG) for 2021/22:-

·              Schools block.

·              Central schools services block.

As a result of the Government’s intention to implement a national funding formula for school funding allocations; 2021/22 represented the fourth year of the  Government’s planned transition towards these proposals.

To comply with the ESFA operational guidance, local authorities are required to consult with schools, academies and Schools Forum in respect of planned changes to the schools local funding formula including the method, principals and rules that are to be adopted.

The  Forum was, therefore, required to decide upon specific elements in accordance with the powers and responsibilities assigned to it by the ESFA and would need to vote on a number of proposals which had been circulated in the report submitted. The proposals were based on the consultation responses received from individual schools and academies.

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.

A narrative and rationale for each of the questions was provided along with any clarification as necessary.

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 2021/222 (as far as was possible) for submission to the ESFA in January, 2021:-

Question 1 – Do you agree with the principle that Rotherham is adopting in terms of prioritising a continued increase to the MFG?

Vote:-           8 For             0 Against

Question 2 – Considering the borough as a whole and to ensure support for the most vulnerable children & young people in the district, do you support the LA’s request to continue to transfer 1.5% from the schools block to the high needs block?

Vote:-           8 For             0 Against

Question 3 – Do you have any further suggestions on how the financial pressures in the high needs block can best be addressed?

This is to be considered by the Sub-Group during December, 2020.

Question 4 -  Do you agree that the Local Authority should continue to provide for a growth fund? It is estimated for 2021/22 a budget of £280,000 is required

Vote:-           11 For           0 Against

Question 5 – Do you agree that the local authority should provide for a £50k falling rolls fund?

Vote:-           5 For             0 Against

Question 6 – Do you agree that funding from the central school services block can  be held centrally for the services outlined above?

Vote:-           7 For             0 Against

Question 7 - Do maintained schools wish to de-delegate monies to create a Schools in Financial Difficulties contingency fund of £100k to support those schools with exceptional costs forcing them into a financial deficit position?

Vote:-           4 For             0 Against

Question 8 - Do maintained schools wish to de-delegate funds once again for trade unions (£2.00 per pupil), maintained school would no longer need to buy back from the Portfolio of services.

Vote:-           4 For             0 Against