Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education.

The Schools Funding Settlement and Local Funding Formula 2021/22 provides an update on the key announcements made by the Department for Education (DfE) on the education funding settlement for 2021/22.

The Cabinet is recommended to:

(i) Note the details of the Education Funding Settlement for 2021/22.

(ii) Approve the construction of the early year’s budget as per section 3.1 to 3.2 and the updated 2021/22 local funding formula for schools as detailed in the table(s) in section 6.2 which will form the basis of the calculation of school budgets and be notified to the DfE in accordance with statutory requirements.

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

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Cabinet on key announcements made by the Department for Education on the education funding settlement for 2021/22 and inviting the Cabinet to consider the local funding formula models to be used to determine the individual 2020/21 budgets for early years providers and schools in Stockport.

RESOLVED – (1)  That the details of the Education Funding Settlement for 2021/22 be noted.

(2) That approval be given to the construction of the early year’s budget as detailed in section 3.1 to 3.2 and the updated 2021/22 local funding formula for schools as detailed in the table(s) in section 6.2 which will form the basis of the calculation of school budgets and be notified to the DfE in accordance with statutory requirements.

To consider a report of the Director of Place.

The Schools Funding Settlement and Local Funding Formula 2021/22 provides an update on the key announcements made by the Department for Education (DfE) on the education funding settlement for 2021/22.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the report.

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

The Corporate Director (Place) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Schools Funding Settlement and Local Funding Formula 2021/22 and the key announcements made by the Department for Education (DfE) on the education funding settlement for 2021/22.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.   

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members enquired about the reduction in transport for SEND pupils as it related to the settlement. In response, it was stated that SEND transport costs are not permitted expenditure to be charged to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) as there were no accounts for this, within the DSG, however, the budget resources that finance SEND Transport were within the local authority cash limit budget which was governed by the medium term financial plan process.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the high needs block deficit that appears year on year as the greatest cost pressure. In response, it was commented that Central Government was recognising the pressures regarding the high needs block for local authorities, but the local position was better in terms of the previous financial years. It was also stated that it can complexed and costly when dealing with the high needs block but local agreement has gained approval from the School’s Forum to transfer £900k to repay the deficit, which by 2021/22 will be reduced to £1.5m and the ongoing deficit would continue to be reviewed each year.

REOSLVED – That the report be noted.