Agenda item

Paragraph 12 – 15 sets out the background sets and context of the budget.

Paragraph 16 – 19 discusses the role of the school’s forum in setting the school’s budget.

Paragraph 17 notes where decisions need to be made through school’s forum regulations.

Para 20 – sets out the schools grant and the areas that are funded and the basis of settlement.

Para 21 – 25 sets out the basic principles behind the school’s block settlement which is not as great as it has been in previous years.

Para 26 sets out the schools funding formula.

Para 30 discusses the construction of the schools funding formula.

Funding for 2023/24 is based on the 2021 census. Funding for schools is based on the 2022 census.

This is the first time we have seen an affordability gap. Leicestershire has not been given enough funding to fully fund the national funding formula and we also know this is the case for other authorities.

To move schools from the national funding formula is not an advisable option.

103 schools are protected by minimal funding, and any change in the funding mechanism that reduces their funding will be reinstated by the funding guarantees within the NFF so they cannot be affected by capping and scaling as it would take them below the minimum budget.

Pupil premium will increase by 5% for the new year.

The budget held by the local authority for Schools Growth is separate from the NFF funding and not intended for distribution to schools and meets the revenue costs arising from the opening and expansion of schools.

Paragraph 17 Items for approval, item 2 – this sets out what the funding is and the policy it relates to. This is further referenced in paragraphs 66, 67, and 69 and also gives additional detail about what funding is used for.

This is a separate allocation and is to meet the costs of commissioning and only applies to new schools and expanding schools.

The role of local authority is moving to one of facilitating school funding. The Government sets out the funding and local authorities have little responsibility in school funding and responsibility is decreasing with the movement to the National Funding Formula. Leicestershire County Council are the lowest funded council.

The County Council is in an extremely and difficult financial position, and it is not fair for this pressure to be put on our taxpayers when we are not fairly funded. If we were fairly funded, then we would not be in this position.

Recommendations

1.     That Schools Forum approves the retention of the budget to fund future school growth – Agreed

2.     That Schools Forum approve the retention of the budgets to meet the prescribed statutory duties of the local authority and to meet historic costs – Agreed

3.     The School’s Forum approves the centrally retained early years funding – Agreed

4.     That School’s Forum supports the continued use of the exceptional premises factor in respect of school that incur rental costs for premises and / or sports facilities and the adjustments made in respect of age range changes – Agreed

5.     That Schools Forum note the actions taken by the local authority in applying Capping and Scaling to the National funding Formula for the purpose of affordability – Agreed

6.     That Schools Forum notes the number and average cost of commissioned place for children and young people with High Needs – Agreed

7.     That Schools Forum notes the Early Years Provider payment rates for 2023/24 – Agreed

8.     The schools Forum approves the action to be taken in respect of schools where the Special Education Needs (SEN) national budget is insufficient to meet the aggregated value of High Needs funding Element 2 – Agreed

9.     That Schools Forum note the average per pupil funding to be considered for recoupment for excluded pupils and other purposes - Agreed