Issue - meetings

To inform the Forum on the Delivering Better Value in SEND programme which is part of the DfE’s support package to help local authorities maintain effective SEND services while functioning sustainably.  The report also contains an update and draft timetable for the setting of the 2023-24 High Needs Block budget.

The Forum considered a report informing the Schools Forum on the Delivering Better Value in SEND (DBV) programme which the Department for Education (DfE) had announced details of in June 2022. The programme was part of the DfE’s support package to help local authorities (LAs) maintain effective SEND services while functioning sustainably. The report also included an update and draft timetable for the setting of the 2023-24 High Needs Block (HNB) budget.

Paul Clark explained that the aim of the programme was to support local authorities to improve delivery of SEND services whilst ensuring the services were sustainable.

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) had been invited to join the first tranche of 20 authorities and the first phase had commenced involving a comprehensive diagnostic process. At the end of the first phase.  the DfE would agree with each LA an allocation of funding to support critical elements of its action plan. There was £85m revenue funding available for DBV. Annex 1 of the report detailed the process.  resourcing.  and timeline.

The Forum asked whether there were risks to the timeline. Paul Clark replied that a significant amount of data was required and the process was expected to be beneficial.  but there were always risks in gathering large amounts of data in restricted periods of time. However.  the department had made good progress so far.

The Forum enquired whether it was good to be part of the first tranche. Paul Clark confirmed that there were positives.  but that it was also the “guinea pig” group. Overall.  the project was expected to be beneficial financially as well as getting a good data set and verification of the Council’s roadmap.

Paul Clark updated on the government liability for financing Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficits which was scheduled to end by March 2023. For BFC.  the accumulated deficit was estimated at £18.2m and this was expected to place a significant financial risk which would have implications across the Council.

Regarding the initial HNB budget information for 2023-24.  overall funding for the HNB was increasing by £570m.  or 6.3%. BFC would receive the minimum 5% increase in funding. The paper outlined the updates which were planned to be brought to the Forum at all four meetings scheduled before the start of the financial year in April 2023.

To inform the Forum on the Delivering Better Value in SEND programme which is part of the DfE’s support package to help local authorities maintain effective SEND services while functioning sustainably.  The report also contains an update and draft timetable for the setting of the 2023-24 High Needs Block budget.