Issue - meetings

ECHS19015

The Sub-Committee considered a report setting out information on the 2019/20 Dedicated Schools Grant and how it would be allocated.

The final Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding for 2019/20, updated to reflect October 2018 pupil numbers, had now been provided to all LAs. The final allocation included the additional funding for SEND announced by the Secretary of State which for Bromley was £788,032 for both 2018/19 and 2019/20. 

The DSG for 2019/20 was divided into four blocks – High Needs, Early Years, Schools and Schools Central, with expected grant income detailed below:

The Head of ECHS Finance reported that the Schools Central Block was balanced as a result of a contribution of £310,000 from the Council.  In addition to this a disapplication request to transfer £1,000,000 from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block had been submitted to the DfE.  The outcome of the disapplication request was not yet known.

The Head of ECHS Finance provided an update on the discussion that had taken place at the meeting of the Schools’ Forum on 10^th January 2019.  Whilst the Schools’ Forum had appreciated the concerns of the Council in relation to High Needs Funding Members of the Forum had felt that the financial burden should not fall on schools.  After a lengthy discussion the Schools’ Forum had voted against the disapplication request.

The Sub-Committee noted that if the disapplication request was approved the proposal now was to set aside the DfE funding of £788,032 resulting in an overall £2m contribution from the Council.  If the disapplication request was unsuccessful the Council would still commit £2m but there would be no set aside.  The amended proposals would be considered by the Executive in February 2019.

The Head of ECHS Finance drew Members attention to the appendices to the report which provided the financial detail.  The Sub-Committee also noted the outcome of the consultation was included in Appendix 3 to the report.  The responses from the Schools had been overwhelmingly against the disapplication request.

The Sub-Committee noted that under the minimum Funding Guarantee, no primary schools would lose more than 1.22% funding.  There was no minimum funding guarantee for secondary schools.  Members also noted that no upfront funding for Free Schools was provided.  This funding was lagged at the estimated cost of this was £2.5m and created an ongoing impact as schools grew.

In opening the discussion the Chairman asked what work had been done in terms of lobbying the DfE concerning funding issues.  The Head of ECHS Finance reported that he, the Interim Executive Director and the Portfolio Holder had met the local MP, Bob Neill, to raise the issue.  Bob Neill MP was now writing to the Minister to set out the concerns that had been raised concerning funding.  Members of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44