Questions asked under Standing Order 7(1)(2) and (5).
Minutes:
(A) Mr
Wright CC asked the following question of the Leader or his nominee:
"1. According
to this Council's own figures for 2009/10, the average per-pupil funding in
primary schools is £3,033. Whilst many of
the 225 primary schools do not vary greatly from this average, there are some
notable exceptions.
28
schools receive funding in excess of £4,000 per pupil, 3 schools receive in
excess of £5,000, 1 school in excess of £6,000 and 1 school in excess of £7,000,
the latter two being more than twice the average.
What are the reasons
that explain these large differences?
2. The
total number of pupils in the 5 schools receiving in excess of £5,000 per pupil
is 176. Collectively those schools
receive £1,045,197 in funding.
In comparison, taking two examples from different areas of the county, Kegworth Primary - no. on roll 168, figures adjusted to
176, receives £534,022. Richard Hill C
of E - no. on roll 174, figures adjusted to 176, receives £504,176.
Is this a fair
distribution of available resources?
3. Using
comparator councils, can the Leader please provide figures illustrating:
a) the
average per-pupil funding in primary schools
b) respectively,
the smallest and largest variation from the average?"
Mr Hart replied as follows:
"1. The
formula applied to calculate school budgets takes into account a number of
factors to recognise the individual needs of schools and the pupils within
them. Although the formula is applied
consistently across all schools, there are differences where funding
allocations are made in respect of some but not all pupils. The following pupil led factors influence the
level of budget received by school:
·
The deprivation
score arising from the pupils within the school;
·
The
level of pupil prior attainment;
·
The
need for schools to meet the Key Stage 1 class size legislation;
·
The
number of pupils eligible for free school meals;
·
The
presence of schools with units serving
Schools also receive funding not directly attributable to pupils which
affects the total level of budget received, for example:
·
The
physical size of the building and its grounds;
·
Allocation
of small school protection.
The calculation of unit funding per child is based upon the total budget
divided by the number of pupils on roll, the level of surplus places within
schools can also result in funding differences per pupil.
2. Small
school protection has been a factor within the Leicestershire formula for
funding schools for a considerable amount of time and provides additional
funding for the overheads incurred by a school irrespective of the number of
pupils within it; this type of protection is prevalent in the formulae of many
Councils.
A balance needs to be drawn between supporting small schools financially
to remain able to provide for the needs of children and young people and the
additional costs that could be incurred in the absence of such schools, for
example home to school transport.
A review of the funding formula commissioned by the Schools (Funding)
Forum is currently underway with any changes to the formula being implemented
in 2011. Any changes to the formula need
to be subject to consultation with all schools with changes agreed by the
Schools (Funding) Forum before implementation.
3. (a)
The information available from the
national publication of local authority spend within the annual Section 52
Budget Statement compiled by local authorities does not separate primary,
secondary or special schools but an overall school average can be
obtained. Unfortunately, the 2009/10
information has not yet been published nationally but can be compiled when that
information becomes available.
Average per-pupil funding, across school phases, however, is ... view the full minutes text for item 26