Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Jeremy Parkes, Lucia Jane Turner, Daryl Asbury, James Ludlow, Louisa Craig, Bhaksho Raj, Sarah Whittington and Trisha James.

There were no declarations of interest or confidentiality.

[To approve the minutes of 5 December 2019 as a correct record.]

Resolved:

The minutes of the meeting of 5 December 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the following amendment:

That James Ludlow’s apologies be recorded for the meeting of 5 December 2019.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2019.]

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

 [To receive an update on current Schools’ Forum Membership.]

Bill Hague, Head of School Organisation presented the Schools Forum Membership 2019 – 2020. It was noted that no changes had been made since the meeting in December 2019, however the usual steps were being taken to fill any vacancies. It was noted that any changes would be reported at the next meeting of Schools’ Forum.

Resolved:

That the current Schools’ Forum Membership 2019 – 2020 be noted.

[To note the Schools' Forum Forward Plan 2019 – 2020.]

Bill Hague, Head of School Organisation presented the Schools’ Forum Forward Plan 2019 – 2020 for noting.

Schools’ Forum members were invited to suggest any items they wished to receive at Schools’ Forum. It was requested that any suggestions be sent to the clerk of Schools’ Forum or Bill Hague, Head of School Organisation.

Resolved:

1. That the Schools’ Forum Forward Plan 2019 – 2020 be noted.

2.    That any suggestions for items for discussion at Schools’ Forum be sent to Bill Hague, Head of School Organisation or the clerk of Schools’ Forum, Shelley Humphries, Democratic Services Officer.

[To receive a brief verbal update on deficit budget monitoring.]

James Barlow, Finance Business Partner provided a verbal update on Deficit Budget Monitoring. It was reported that the desktop monitoring exercises had been completed and the process had moved on to meetings being undertaken with schools to discuss budget plans. Some robust plans had been received for using surplus monies and communication opened with others around managing deficit balances.

It was reported that a fuller update on the outcomes of these meetings would be provided in the Deficit Budget Monitoring Update report scheduled for the next meeting of Schools’ Forum.

Resolved:

That the Deficit Budget Monitoring Update be received.

[To receive the Dedicated Schools Grant and School Funding 2020 – 2021 report.]

James Barlow, Finance Business Partner presented the Dedicated Schools Grant and School Funding 2020 – 2021 report and highlighted salient points. The report provided Schools’ Forum members with information on the anticipated Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) settlement for 2020 – 2021 and the proposed local funding formula for the Schools Block in Wolverhampton.

It was noted that the full allocation and calculation tool had been received and the figures that had been prepared had been based numbers on roll at the Autumn census, therefore the information provided in the attached appendices had been based on the most current data available.

Appendix 1 showed the National Funding Formula figures and the funding factors that had been applied whilst Appendix 2 provided a breakdown school by school

An outline of the proposed rates for de-delegation from maintained schools for 2020 - 2021 and the adjustment for the planned growth fund.

In respect of DSG allocations at paragraph 2.1, it was highlighted that the Schools Block and Central Services Block settlement figures were final whereas the settlements for High Needs Block and Early Years may need adjustments.

It was anticipated that the only risks were around growth planning however it was thought that these could be effectively managed and the Authority would continue to report to Schools’ Forum on these matters.

It was clarified that, based on the census numbers received in October, the figures in the appendices were the projected allocations to be received by schools. 

Schools’ Forum members were advised that a comprehensive breakdown of High Needs, Early Years and Central Services Blocks budgets would be provided at the meeting of Schools’ Forum scheduled for 27 February 2020.

Resolved:

1.    That members of Schools’ Forum note the anticipated DSG settlement for 2020-2021.

2.    That members of Schools’ Forum endorse and recommend to Cabinet the proposed local funding formula and note the resulting growth fund and budget allocations to schools in Wolverhampton.

3.    That members of Schools’ Forum agree the proposed rates for de-delegation from maintained schools for 2020-2021.

4.    That members of Schools’ Forum agree the proposed rates for maintained schools’ contribution to Education Functions for 2020-2021.

5.    That members of Schools’ Forum note the adjustment to the planned growth fund detailed in section 4.1.

6.    That members of Schools’ Forum note that further reports would be provided in February detailing the breakdown of High Needs, Early Years and Central Services Blocks budgets along with a Schools block report detailing final school budget shares.

The work of the members of Schools’ Forum and teachers, as well as the work undertaken by Council Finance Officers, was commended by Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre.

The Chair closed the meeting at 16:23.

·         27 February 2020

The next meeting of Schools’ Forum was scheduled for 27 February 2020.