Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Colin Ashford, Leah Crawley, David Dilling, Patrick Foley, Lee Mason-Ellis, Aydin Onac, Sam Parrett, Karen Raven, Keith Seed and David Wilcox.

It was noted that the meeting was not quorate, but those present decided to proceed.

Geoff Boyd declared an interest in that his daughter ran a pre-school.

Report ED 15059

At its previous meeting on 15^th January 2015 the Forum had considered proposed changes to the Early Years Funding Formula (EYFF) for 2015/16. Following concerns expressed at the Providers Forum the proposals had been deferred to this special meeting. The changes needed to be agreed by the Schools Forum or the 2015/16 in time for budget allocations to be sent out in line with DfE timescales, or the old formula would have to be used, and this would not include any funding for inclusion (around £600k in 2014/15.)

The report set out additional information on the proposed changes, including more detailed modelling (in appendix 1.) The modelling showed that the hourly rate received would increase for most settings, and there were only a small number of settings where the hourly rate would decrease. No settings would be destabilised by the changes.

A significant part of the proposals was that the flexibility supplement would be removed as this was no longer required by the DfE; the funding would be used to supplement the base rate and the quality supplement. There was concern from some members at the loss of this supplement, as there were  additional costs for settings to be flexible, but it was also accepted that there were costs for the authority in checking that settings were indeed flexible and using the funding appropriately. Officers were satisfied that there was a range of providers offering flexible provision across the borough, driven by parent demand, and if lack of flexibility became an issue then the matter could be re-addressed.  

As it was anticipated that the meeting might not be quorate, members who were not able to attend had been asked to submit their views on the proposal. The following Forum members had written indicating their support for the recommendations –

Leah Crawley, David Dilling, Patrick Foley, David Wilcox

RESOLVED that the proposed changes to the Early Years Funding Formula for 2015/16 be approved.

As this was Nina Newell’s last meeting before leaving the Authority, the Forum thanked her for her work and wished her all the best in her new role.

Proposed dates for the ends of June, September and November 2015, and mid-January 2016, are being considered.