Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement)

The Schools Funding Reforms to be implemented from April 2013 as governed by the Department for Education (DfE) and Schools Finance Regulations 2013 are a fundamental overhaul of the schools funding system and require all local authorities to determine the delegated budget resources allocated to individual schools on a new simplified funding formula basis.

This report update the Executive on the key announcements made by the Department for Education (DfE) on school funding reforms and the details the recommendations made by the Schools Forum on the proposed local formula to be used to determine individual budgets for Stockport schools effective 2013/14.

The Executive is asked to:

·         approve the proposed amendments to the Early Years Single Funding Formula as set out in Section 5.7vi of the report; and

·         approve the Schools Forum recommendation as set out in Section 5.5.5 / 5.7 of the report in relation to the new mainstream school formula.

Officer contact: Steve Houston/ Simon Finch, 0161 474 4000/ 4019, steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk / simon.finch@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal for a local School Funding Formula to be introduced for 2013/14 in line with the requirements of the Department for Education. The proposal had been subject to consultation with schools in Stockport and the Schools Forum had made a recommendation to the Executive following consideration of these responses.

RESOLVED – That the proposed local Schools Funding Formula be agreed, in accordance with the recommendation of the Schools Forum, 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.)

To consider a presentation by the Corporate Director for People.

The presentation will provide an update on the local authority’s progress developing a new local formula for implementation in April 13 and the recommendation from Schools Forum that will be considered by the Executive on 12^th November 2012.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Simon Finch on 474 4019 or email:simon.finch@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director for People attended the meeting and provided an update in respect to the new local formula for schools funding.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The key requirements for the local formula, the timetable for the consultation and options for the Executive.

·         An explanation of the basic entitlement, the significance of deprivation and the implications of lump sum.

·         Feedback from the primary sector and secondary sector consortia.

·         The comments and recommendations of the Schools Forum for the Executive to consider at the meeting on 12 November 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted.