Agenda item

2021/22 DEDICATED SCHOOLS GRANT

Minutes:

Report CEF20032

 

The report provided an outline of the estimated Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation for 2021/22 and an overview of how this would be spent.

 

2021/22 Dedicated Schools Grant

 

High Needs

Block

Early Years

Block

Schools

Block

Schools

Central

Block

Total

Gross Grant Funding

£58,266,582

£23,055,439

£233,242,664

£1,871,573

£316,436,258

Recoupment

adjustment

-£10,128,167

 

 

 

-£10,128,167

Net Grant Allocation

£48,138,415

£23,055,439

£233,242,664

£1,871,573

£306,308,091

The indicative Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding for 2021/22 had been provided to all Local Authorities based on October 2019 pupil numbers (and would be uplifted in December to reflect the October 2020 census data). The DSG for 2021/22 was divided into four blocks – High Needs, Early Years, Schools and Schools Central. The expected income detailed below:

 

Schools Central Block

 

It was noted that the Local Authority would be providing a contribution to address the overspend in the Schools Central Block.

 

Schools Block

 

The Forum considered issues around the minimum funding guarantee (MFG) and the financial risk posed to a number of schools from the low level being proposed.  It was noted that the figures currently under consideration were provisional figures and there were limitations placed on the Local Authority.  However, any additional information provided by the DfE would be reviewed.  The Head of Finance stressed that there was a requirement to stay within the finding envelope and be as transparent as possible with the allocation of funding.

 

In response to comments concerning the cost pressures to schools arising from Covid-19, the Director of Education acknowledged the additional pressures schools had faced and confirmed that that the Local Authority had been raising concerns with the DfE and would continue to do so.

 

The Chairman queried whether there were any options to consider around reducing the spend on areas such as the Falling Rolls Fund and the Growth Fund.  In response, the Head of Finance confirmed that all areas of spend would be reviewed however, due to the demand for schools places it was currently unclear whether any savings in the Growth Fund could be identified as GLA projections indicated that there were certain areas where additional classes would be needed and it was likely that pressures would remain for the next 3 years.

 

High Needs Block

 

A Member noted that costs of out of borough placements continued to rise year-on-year, highlighting that a key recommendation arising from the SEND4Change review that had be undertaken was that these costs had to be reduced.  In response the Director of Education recognised the considerable pressure arising from the exponential and sustained increase in the number of ECHPs, not just in Bromley but nationally.  Last year there had been some welcome additional High Needs Funding from Government but it was not enough to meet the longer-term growth in demand.  Further funding was expected although at this point it was indicative.  There continued to be concerns around funding the High Needs Block and there was a need to ensure that it was sustainable going forward.  One of the key requirements for reducing the spend on out of borough placements was additional local provision and the Local Authority had been working to increase the in-borough offer, including through the proposed establishment of a new special free school.

 

RESOLVED: Thar the report be noted.

 

Supporting documents: