To elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the municipal year 2018-19.

The Forum was invited to appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Central Bedfordshire Schools Forum for the municipal year 2018-19.

Miss K Hayward was the only candidate nominated and seconded for the position of Chairman.

Mrs S Howley MBE was the only candidate nominated and seconded for the position of Vice-Chairman.

RESOLVED

1.         that Miss K Hayward be elected Chairman of the Central Bedfordshire Schools Forum for the municipal year 2018-19.

2.      that Mrs S Howley MBE be elected Vice-Chairman of the Central

         Bedfordshire Schools Forum for the municipal year 2018-19.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 March 2018 (copy attached) and to receive an update on any matters arising from these.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Central Bedfordshire Schools Forum held on 12 March 2018 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Matters Arising/Actions from Schools Forum

CBSF/17/27 High Needs Block 2018/19 Budget and Investment Proposals

Resolution 3. - The costs for the proposed 0.5% investment would be considered under item 9 of the current agenda.

Resolution 4. – the April meeting of the High Needs Technical Sub-Group did not take place.  Any issues would be considered under item 9 of the current agenda.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman and any matters of communication.

The Chairman had no announcements or matters of communication.

To note the Schools Forum powers and responsibilities summary document issued by the Education Funding Agency (copy attached).

NOTED

the Schools Forum powers and responsibilities summary document issued by the Education Funding Agency in September 2017.

To receive an update from the Sub-Groups of Schools Forum on the work being undertaken.

The Forum received an update on any meetings of its Sub-Groups.

Points and comments included:

·         Early Years – the Sub-Group had met on 16 May 2018.  Issues for discussion were within the report attached at item 7 of the agenda.

·         High Needs – there had been no meetings.  There had been a large number of staff changes and work on a report was in progress.  The Sub-Group would meet soon.

·         Growth Fund – the Sub-Group had met on 19 April 2018.  Issues for discussion were within the report attached at item 7 of the agenda.

·         School Block – there had been no meetings.

To seek approval from School’s Forum for the award of additional Growth Fund payments made under the exceptional claims clause as recommended by the sub technical group.

The Schools Forum considered a report which sought approval for the award of additional Growth Fund payments made under the exceptional claims clause as recommended by the Growth Fund Sub Technical Group.

The meeting was reminded that only School Members could vote on this matter.

RESOLVED

1.    that the additional payments claimed under ‘exceptional circumstances’ by Clipstone Brook Lower School, Fairfield Park Lower School and Leighton Middle School, and recommended for agreement by the Growth Fund Sub Technical Group, be approved;

2.    That the additional payments claimed under ‘exceptional circumstances’ by Cranfield Academy and Henlow Academy, and recommended for rejection by the Growth Fund Sub Technical Group, be refused.

To provide an update on progress made in the first phase of the reconstitution of the Schools Forum.

The Schools Forum considered a report which provided an update on the progress made in the first phase of its reconstitution in line with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002, subsequent regulations and statutory guidance.

Points and comments included:

·         The need to hold elections for all posts accept with regard to the Vice-Chairman.  The Interim Head of School Improvement asked that any information relating to appointments be passed to him

·         The Chairman and Vice-Chairman would remain in post until April 2019.

·         The Chairman stated that, to date, elections had only been held to fill the vacancies on the Schools Forum.  The existing members of the Forum were legitimate participants until the outcome of the additional elections outlined in the preamble above.

·         The status and membership of the Schools Forum’s sub-groups was provided as follows:

o   Early Years: An explanation of what the Sub-Group did was provided.  The membership was Paul Burrett, Leigh Davies, Sue Tyler, Alexia Moyle and Stephen Tiktin.

o   High Needs: A meeting would be held before the end of the summer term.  The membership was Peter Cohen, Oliver Button, Sue Howley MBE, Joe Selmes, John Street, Sue Teague, Joanna New and Lisa Leonard.

o   Growth Fund: The membership was Victor Wan, Karen Hayward, Phil Ball, Ali Brabner, Sue Howley MBE, Paul Burrett, David Penfold, Jessica Mortimer-Wabel and Caren Earp.

o   School Block:  If a meeting was required then one would be held.

·         The Vice-Chairman asked that action be taken to ensure the dates of the Sub-Groups were arranged for a year in advance.

NOTED

1.    The new appointments to the Schools Forum made under the first phase of its reconstitution;

2.    The arrangements for the second stage of the appointments   process.

To provide an update on the final spend of DSG for 2017/2018, updated information for 2018/19.

The Schools Forum considered a report which outlined the full year outturn spend with regard to the High Needs Block (HNB) for 2017/18, highlighted potential spend pressures for 2018/19 and the proposed use of the 0.5% investment into the Block for the current financial year.  In addition a supplement had been circulated setting out Appendix 1, which had been omitted from the report, and two additional papers setting out statements of SEN and EHC Plans: England, 2017 (SFR 22/2017).

Points and comments included:

·         Reference was made by a member to the potential shortfall in the High Needs Block of approximately £1.4m in 2018/19 as a result of the demand arising from increasing numbers.  The Head of Child Poverty and Early Intervention stressed that action was being taken to keep spending under control.

·         The Director of Children’s Services stated that the overspend would continue until the demand from the increasing number of children was better managed, hence the projects.  She advised that a meeting of Special School head teachers would consider how support could be given to their mainstream colleagues.  She emphasised that it was necessary to work together in a different way.

·         A member referred to Appendix A in item 14 (School Finance Update) and the 2017/18 balance for the Special Schools which stood at approximately £1.2m.  It was noted that schools could retain capital that was not used within the current financial year if justified, for example if capital works were planned.  Special Schools had not been considered in this context.

NOTED

1.    The 2017/18 outturn position of the High Needs Block.

2.    The potential pressures and the actions to mitigate such pressures for 2018-19 against budgets.

RESOLVED

That consideration be given to the retention, if any, of unused funding by Special Schools.

To provide an update on the final spend of Early Years Block allocation for 2017/2018, updated information for 2018/19 including Early Years SEND, a range of draft proposals for 2019/20, and additional information regarding aspects of Early Years funding which are not part of the DSG. 

The Schools Forum considered a report which provided an update on the final spend of Early Years Block allocation for 2017/18, updated information for 2018/19 including Early Years SEND, a range of draft proposals for 2019/20 and additional information regarding aspects of Early Years funding which were not part of the Dedicated School Grant (DSG).

Points and comments included:

·         With regard to paragraph 9g of the report the Forum noted that, for the sake of clarity, the paragraph should read ‘At present there are 15 EHC Plans for children in the Early Years up to the start of year 1’.

·         The Head of Child Poverty and Early Intervention referred to evolving risks with regard to the Early Years Funding Formula for 2019 and beyond arising from the requirement to equalise different base rates by April 2019.  She sought guidance from the Forum on which of the four options set out in the report were preferred so that more detailed work could be undertaken and a further report submitted.

·         A member advised the Forum of discussions which had taken place with the government on nursery school provision and the current research being undertaken by the Department for Education on viability which was to be published in the autumn.

NOTED

1.    The 2017/18 outturn position of the Early Years Block.

2.    The information regarding Early Years SEND funding.

RESOLVED

1.    That the request to create an Early Years SEND fund for joint monitoring, as set out in paragraph 9d of the Director of Children’s Services’ report, be approved.

2.    That detailed modelling of options 2 and 3, as set out in paragraph 13 of the Director of Children’s Services’ report, be undertaken and a full options analysis be submitted to a future meeting of the Schools Forum.

To provide an update on the DSG and Growth Fund for the financial year 2017/18 and funding arrangements for 2018/19.

The Schools Forum considered an update on the Dedicated School Grant (DSG) and Growth Fund for the 2017/18 financial year and funding arrangements for 2018/19.

NOTED

The update to the 2017/18 Dedicated School Grant and Growth Fund and the 2018/19 Dedicated School Grant funding arrangements.

To provide an update on the use of the School Forum Budget for 2017/18.

The Schools Forum considered an update on the use of the School Forum budget for 2017/18.

The Forum noted the expenditure to 31 March 2018 and that a balance of £6,852 had been carried forward to 2018/19.  The Forum was reminded that it had agreed a budget allocation of £3,000 for 2018/19.

NOTED

The School Forum spend for the year ending 31 March 2018.

To provide an update on the use of the School Contingency Budgets for the financial year 2017/18.

The Schools Forum considered an update on the use of the School Contingency budgets for the financial year 2017/18.

The Forum noted the High Needs Contingency overspend.

NOTED

The Dedicated School Grant Contingency spend for the financial year 2017/18.

To provide an update on the Schools Forum on the 2017/18 Schools out-turn position.

The Schools Forum considered an update on the 2017/18 Schools outturn position.

NOTED

The School Finance update.

The Vice-Chairman stated that, whilst the Council was not responsible for Academy budgets, she felt it would be helpful, and for the sake of transparency, to have such information reported to the Schools Forum to provide a wider financial picture.

The Interim Head of School Improvement referred to the opportunity to notify the relevant authority should any financial irregularity be apparent from the information provided.

It was noted that an upper and secondary head teachers meeting was due to be held and Academy heads could be approached at that event regarding the request.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Academy representatives on the Schools Forum ask their colleagues to seek permission to make particular financial information available so it can be considered by the Schools Forum.

2.    That the financial information sought from Academies include revenue, capital balance and yearly outturn.

3.    That the information acquired be submitted to the Schools Forum in October.

The Vice-Chairman referred to the f40 conference on the National Funding Formula held in March 2018.  It was noted that the Chair of Gloucestershire Schools Forum had provided a schools forum perspective on the Formula at the conference.

RESOLVED

That a report on the contextual information relating to the National Funding Formula raised at the f40 conference be submitted to the meeting of the Forum in October.

To consider the work programme for the Central Bedfordshire Schools Forum.

The Schools Forum considered its Work Programme.

RESOLVED

1.    That, in view of the substantial amount of work, the next meeting of the Schools Forum be rescheduled from 17 September 2018 to 1 October 2018.

2.    That the proposed Work Programme be approved subject to the following amendments:

·         October:

o   Special Schools Banding

o   Appointments to Schools Forum - Update

o   Special Schools - Unused Funding

o   Early Years Block – Options Modelling for Equalising Base Rate

o   National Funding Formula – Contextual Information arising from f40 Conference

o   Special Needs Block

o   High Needs Block Project

o   Academy Accounts

o   RAG Ratings for Schools

17 September 2018.

Rescheduled date: 1 October 2018.