Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Education.

This report updates the Cabinet on the key announcements made by the Department for Education (DfE) on the education funding settlement for 2018/19 and invited them to approve the local funding formula models to be used to determine the individual 2018/19 budgets for early years providers and schools in Stockport.

The Cabinet is asked to:

(i)      Note the details of the Education Funding Settlement for 2018/19.

(ii)     Approve the Early Years and Schools local funding formula for 2018/19 as outlined in sections 4.6 (early year’s), 4.11 (schools) and summarised in the table(s) in section 7.2 which will form the basis of the calculation of early years/school budgets and be notified to the DfE in accordance with statutory requirements.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes, 0161 474 3947, peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution and the Cabinet Member for Education was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Cabinet on the key announcements made by the Department for Education on the education funding settlement for 2018/19 and inviting the Cabinet to approve the local funding formula models to be used to determine the individual 2018/19 budgets for early years providers and schools in Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Education emphasised the challenges facing the schools and the desire of most the Council that education funding should more accurately reflect the cost of its provision.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the extensive dialogue with schools and providers in developing these proposals and thanked officers for the work in supporting the process.

RESOLVED – (1) The details of the Education Funding Settlement for 2018/19 be noted.

(2)  That the Early Years and Schools local funding formula for 2018/19 as outlined in sections 4.6 (early year’s), 4.11 (schools) and summarised in the table(s) in section 7.2  be approved to form the basis of the calculation of early years/school budgets and be notified to the DfE in accordance with statutory requirements.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides for comment proposals which will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval on the Education Funding Settlement and Local Formula for 2018/2019.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Peter Hughes on Tel: 0161 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the key announcements made by the Department for Education (DfE) on the education funding settlement for 2018/2019.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The 2018/2019 DSG will be allocated in four blocks from April 2018 with per pupil/cash increases applied to the schools and the high need blocks.

·         The 2018/2019 per pupil funding rates will remain fixed at 2017/2018 levels with the exception of the Pupil Premium plus grant funding allocated to Looked After Children, Adopted children and children with guardians which will increase from £400 from April 2018.

·         There was a confirmed additional national £29m of SEND implementation grant – funding which would be allocated to local authorities to continue transforming SEN provision putting families at the heart of the system. Individual LA allocations was due to be confirmed shortly.

·         Councillors discussed the potential impact of the funding of Early Years provision on independent childminders.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the recommendations detailed in the report be supported.