Agenda item

Final Proposals for the 2019/20 High Needs Block Element of the Schools Budget

To seek comments on the final budget proposals for the High Needs Block element of the Schools Budget.

Minutes:

The Forum considered a report which sought comments on the final budget proposals for the High Needs Block (HNB) element of the Schools budget that were being presented by the Council. There were also a small number of decisions for the Forum to take in line with the statutory funding framework.

 

The Forum was advised that historically there had been lots of spot-purchasing and there was not a strategic budget. It was acknowledged that there was a need for tighter future-needs forecasting underpinned by a greater understanding of the needs of children being born in Bracknell Forest. The Forum had previously considered in the meeting of the Forum held on 17 January 2019 setting up a Sub-Group of the Forum to work on a more strategic approach in closer partnership with the Council. It was recognised that the Council and schools were now working together more effectively and this was expected to be strengthened further by the Sub-Group.

 

Whilst the chairman, Martin Gocke, was unable to attend the meeting, he had read through the papers and the Forum noted his comments as follows:

  • Martin expressed concern that the Schools Forum has historically not had enough information re HNB spending until the point at which decisions needed to be made.
  • Martin was keen that the Forum be made more aware of how the various plans intended to make savings and better use of this resource, with outcomes properly reported back to the Forum.
  • Regarding the proposal to establish a Sub Committee, Martin expressed the following reservations:

a.     Paragraphs 6.9, 6.10 and 6.11 in the main report set out clearly the work that needed to be done and Martin’s view was that a working group comprising Head Teachers, possibly SENCOs, Heads of other resource provision including Pupil Referral Services and KLS, and BFC officers was needed to progress that work as opposed to just having members of the Schools Forum.

b.     Martin did not feel that he could commit to an additional six meetings per year as proposed.

  • Martin agreed that there needed to be a link between any proposed group and the Schools Forum but felt that it should lie within the wider arrangements of the LA rather than the narrower confines of the Schools Forum.

 

It was explained that the Sub-Group would be made up of representatives from Schools Forum but could also include a wider representation. It was suggested that the first meeting of the Sub-Group could confirm membership and the onward plan. The first meeting was arranged to be held on 1 May 2019 commencing at 4pm at Time Square Ground Floor, Room 8. An invitation would be issued to all members of the Forum.

 

Action: Jackie Ross and Kashif Nawaz

 

The Forum noted the Tabled Amendment which was circulated to members during the meeting. The ongoing budget checking and review process identified an error on the original fee calculation for other LA students attending the Autistic Spectrum Disorder Resource Provision at Garth Hill College. The original calculation understated the income by £33,000. However, there was no change to the gross cost of the Resource Provision.

 

The annual proposal required by the government of all LAs to seek agreement from the Forum that there are “appropriate arrangements” in place for the education of pupils with SEN and the use of pupil referral units had not been agreed by the Forum in each of the last 2 years. Considering the current situation, it was felt that the sticking point was the word “appropriately” as it meant different things to different people. It was queried whether not agreeing would give the Council more scope when making bids to the DfE but it was not expected that this would be the case.

 

The Forum noted that, whilst they could not agree that there were “appropriate arrangements”, there had been some recent positive steps taken to improve this; in particular there had been significant investment in Kennel Lane School which would help to avoid expensive out-of-area placements. It was felt that the Council was moving in the right direction.

 

RESOLVED, following consideration by the Forum of the HNB budget proposals from the Council, to AGREE that the Executive Member:

1.    sets the total initial Dedicated Schools Grant funded budget at £15.409m, it incorporates the changes set out in the supporting information and amended Annex 3, and relevant budgets are therefore updated to those summarised in amended Annex 4;

2.    NOTES the £0.111m budget gap that will need to be managed in-year through the change programme; and

3.    APPROVES a Minimum Funding Guarantee for Kennel Lane Special School of plus 0.5%, the same amount as for mainstream schools (paragraph 6.13).

 

The Forum did NOT AGREE that there are appropriate arrangements in place for:

1.    the education of pupils with SEN (paragraph 6.15); and

2.    the use of pupil referral units and the education of children otherwise than at school (paragraph 6.15).

 

RESOLVED, to DEFER until the first meeting of the Sub-Group the proposal to agree the terms of reference for the Schools Forum HNB Sub-Committee, as set out in Annex 6.

 

The Forum noted that, whilst they could not agree that there were “appropriate arrangements”, there had been some recent positive steps taken to improve this; in particular there had been significant investment in Kennel Lane School which would help to avoid expensive out-of-area placements. It was felt that the Council was moving in the right direction.

Supporting documents:

 

Contact Information

Democratic services

Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk