Schools Forum Bullet Point Note of Wednesday 6 February 2008 (subject to Forum approval)

David Crowe was re-elected as Forum Chair. Rod Lane was elected as Vice-Chair.

Forum Membership changes : Junior School Headteacher: Tim Barrett, Barnes Farm Junior, Special School Headteacher – David Wood, Wells Park; Secondary School Headteacher – Vic Goddard, Passmores School & Tech. College. LA Officer: Terry Reynolds – Assistant DirectorSchool Improvement and Early Years. New Portfolio Holder for School, Children’s and Families: Councillor – Simon Walsh

DSG Overview 2008-11: an early view of how the impact of (i) the review of the Essex Formula and (ii) the updated ISB leads the LA to believe that of the order of 250-280 (148 2007-08) primary and 15-20 (5 2007-08) secondary schools will be funded at the MFG level.

MFG exceptions: The Forum agreed that the Enhanced Units (delegated) and Children Looked After Factor can be MFG exceptions. Further that the MFG would not apply to Waterman Schools (consultation on maintained nursery closure).

Centrally Held Budgets: Please see overleaf for the changes (over inflation increases) in the centrally held items approved by the Schools Forum.

Central Expenditure Limit (CEL): The Forum agreed the breach of the CEL as a result of the decisions regarding centrally held items.

Statement for Named Pupils with SEN: The Forum agreed that the SEN statements would adopt the new Common Language Framework.

Enhanced Provision (Special Units): The Forum agreed the revised level of funding and changes in place numbers with effect from September 2008.

SpecialSchool Funding: The Forum agreed to adopt the proposed new funding formula for Special Schools from September 2008.

Standards Fund Working Group: The Forum endorsed the SFWG recommendations to: allocate the 2.1% per pupil increase of School Development Grant to Schools; the minimal level of LIG transitional funding benefiting four schools. The School Lunch Grant allocations would need to be reconsidered in the light of DCSF guidance.

Early Years Sub Group: This paper and timetable was noted as the first stage in the process of reviewing Early Years funding.

LSC funding for Pay Progression Grant (PPG) for Sixth Form Schools only: It was agreed that PPG for Sixth Forms would be allocated on the basis of total funding received/LSC funding for prior financial year.

Flex or fix the formula factors: It was agreed that the data to calculate the schools budget shares over the next three years would be refreshed each year to reflect current pupils needs. However, the funding rates would be fixed; ensuring that the indicative budget shares were as predictable as possible.

The Schools Forum Work Plan was noted;

The Forum minutes would be reviewed at the April meeting.

Academies: It was agreed that, as agreed for Barstable/Chalvedon future academy,the Forum would support the transfer of surplus accumulated balances to the Witham and Hockley academies if they proceed.

Schools Forum Meeting Dates: Wednesday 30 April 2008; Wednesday 2 July 2008; Wednesday 22 October 2008; Wednesday 3 December 2008; Wednesday 4 February 2009

Summary of Schools Forum Centrally Agreed Holdbacks: / 2008-09 / 2009-10 / 2010-11
3.2b / SEN/personalised learning holdback - £1.13m. Held in contingency pending April meeting. / £660,000 / £1,130,000 / £1,130,000
3.2c / SACRE-monitoring / £22,500 / £22,500 / £22,500
SACRE-scheme of work / £47,000
3.2d / EMAS – options 3 (at £8 per hour) / £513,000 / £528,903 / £545,300
3.2 e / ISS:
ISS Service to achieve 100% full-time provision / £205,000 / £0 / £0
Adolescent Mental Health Unit / £75,000 / £232,000 / £239,200
PRU ICT £400k, £100k, £100k / assumed covered within Harnessing Technology Grant
3.2 f / Hard to Place Dowry (secondary) / £510,000 / £525,810 / £542,110
3.2 g / Out County Budget Inflation (prudent approach) / £500,000 / £515,500 / £531,480
3.2 h / Contingencies: / -1,984,000 / -1,984,000 / -1,984,000
3.2 i / Funding of the flexible learning programme to complete the courses for:
  • the current year 10s (AY 08/09)
  • current year 9s only (AY 08/09 and 09/10).
/ £267,000
£267,000 / £133,000
£400,000 / £133,000
3.2j / Alternative education placements / £30,000 / £30,930 / £31,889
3.2j / Free school meals eligibility / £10,000 / £10,310 / £10,630
3.2j / Licences for Copyrights / £30,805 / £31,760 / £32,744
3.1a / Proposal to fund School Meal Advisers / £354,000 / £364,974 / £376,288
Total: / £1,773,305 / £2,233,487 / £1,903,325

Inflation applied at 3.1%.