Decision details

To implement a new local funding formula, that is compliant with the school funding reforms, to be effective from April 2013.

The Executive Meeting considered recommendations made by the Schools Forum in relation to a local School Funding Formula to be introduced for 2013/14 and have agreed the following, including the proposed amendments to the Early Years Single Funding Formula as set out in (vi) below:-

(i)            That the overall quantum level of funding is protected by sector for 2013/14 only and the position is considered again when Department for Education confirm the 2014/15 funding arrangements.

(ii)          Capping should be applied to schools that gain funding through the introduction of a new local formula, in order to ensure affordability, and started at a rate of 1% per pupil, but flexed to the affordable level.

(iii)         The basic entitlement for secondary schools and specifically the rates for KS3 and KS4 should maintain the 2012/13 age weighted pupil weighting, i.e. 1:1.23 as this accurately reflects the cost differences on providing the education offer.

(iv)         Retained Schools Budget funding to be delegated to schools from April 2013 shall be distributed on a per pupil basis through the basic entitlement factor.

(v)          The proxy to distribute low cost high incidence Special Educational Need funding for the primary sector shall be 73 points on the early year’s foundation stage profile.

(vi)         The Early Years Single Funding Formula

-       base rates will be streamlined into a maximum of two per sector;

-       supplement for quality be removed

-       administrative arrangements simplified in relation to calculation of the indicative budget and tailored to each sectors requirements; and

-       the termly payments applied shall be of equal value

(vii)        The local formula should be constructed based on the following parameters:

(Nb: The above figures are based on the 2012/13 quantum funding levels and will be subject to change when the final Dedicated School Grant allocation for 2013/14 is confirmed based on the October 2012 pupil count.

All the above figures do not include any additional delegation items as new delegated funds are excluded from the Minimum Funding Guarantee calculation and as such the final basic entitlement figure will be increased.)

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Schools, Governors, PVI early years providers, Local Authority Service Managers. The consultation document was launched 13 July and the consultation runs until 14 September. Briefing sessions have taken place for Schools and Governors.

Consultation response forms should be sent to Schools Finance Team by 14th September. Other correspondence should be emailed to schoolsfinance@stockport.gov.uk