Agenda item

(Iain Wolloff re-joined the meeting at 5.30pm)

Ian Pearson introduced the report which set out the result from the consultation with schools on the proposed primary and secondary school funding formula for 2019/20 and to make a final recommendation.

The report gave a summary of the consultation responses from schools. Only six of the 81 schools in West Berkshire had responded to the consultation. The Schools’ Forum would need to take the final decision.

Ian Pearson drew attention to the three recommendations on the first page of the report. The first recommendation related to replicating the National Funding Formula (NFF) in West Berkshire. The second recommendation concerned the use of the Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) to flex any reduced or additional funding as appropriate and scaling the factors according to affordability. The third recommendation recommended transferring 0.5% from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block.

The table on page 37 of the agenda pack showed Option 1, which included a -0.5% MFG and 3% cap on gains. The table on page 39 of the agenda pack showed Option 2, which included a 0% MFG and 2% cap on gains. The tables for each of the options showed the impact on each school. Option 2 ensured gains were kept to a minimum to ensure most schools did not lose funding as a result of the NFF.

Ian Pearson drew attention to the table on page 30 of the agenda pack which compared the impacts of Options 1 and 2 (Typographical error: Column two should be titled Option 2). The Heads’ Funding Group had considered the information along with the six consultation responses and had reached the view that Option 2 was the preferred option.

Regarding the transfer of 0.5% from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block, this had been considered at length by the HFG and three had voted for transferring the funds and seven against. Of the six schools that had responded to the consultation 2 had given a view in favour of transferring the funding and four had been opposed.

Ian Pearson suggested that the Schools’ Forum had the opportunity to discuss other items on the agenda which were linked to the transfer of funding prior to taking a decision. It was agreed that the decision would be taken after Item 16.

Rev. Mark Bennet was of the understanding that Option 1 would be aligned to the eventual formula figures for each school and he queried if this had been considered by the HFG. Ian Pearson reported that the HFG were fully aware of this point however, were also aware that Option 2 would offer protection to losing schools for a prolonged period of time. Keith Harvey concurred with this view.

Catie Colston asked what the latest information was saying regarding when there would be a move to the NFF. Ian Pearson explained that there were a range of reasons preventing a move to the NFF at the current time, including the other important Government business that was taking priority. A move to the NFF would be deferred for at least another year, potentially until 2020/21. Catie Colson noted that essentially there was some leeway until the NFF came into force.

The Chairman invited members of the Schools’ Forum to vote on the recommendations. Patrick Mitchell proposed that the Schools’ Forum use the NFF rates for every formula factor, applying a funding cap of gains and MFG as agreed at the meeting. This was seconded by Mark Bennet. At the vote the motion was carried.

David Ramsden proposed that that Option 2 be adopted which would include a 2% cap on gains and MFG of 0%. This was seconded by Chris Prosser. At the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the first two recommendations, were agreed as set out above. The third recommendation regarding a transfer of funds from the Schools’ Block to the High Needs Block would be discussed and voted on after Item 16.

(Discussion after Items 8 to 16 had been considered)

The Chairman drew the Schools’ Forum’s attention back to the third bullet point regarding a decision required concerning the transfer of 0.5% of funding from the Schools’ Block to the High Needs Block (HNB).

Rev. Mark Bennet referred to the Benchmarking report (Item 14) and felt that West Berkshire might compare well to other Local Authorities regarding spending within the HNB, because a lump sum of funding had already been transferred in recent years. Rev. Mark Bennet did not feel that a transfer of £490k would resolve the issue within the HNB.

Ian Pearson highlighted that issues within the HNB were not unique to West Berkshire and were being faced nationally.  The Officer recommendation was to transfer the funding and if agreed the Schools’ Forum would need to agree how the money was allocated.

Ian Pearson added that some local authorities had already transferred the funds and he was aware that both Kent and Reading Local Authorities had recently received agreement to transfer the funds from their Forums. Some other local authorities had carried out the transfer in 2018/19 however this had not been the case for West Berkshire.

Although the Officer recommendation was to approve the transfer. The Heads Funding Group had voted against (7 to 3) the transfer.

Patrick Mitchell stated that the Department for Education (DfE) had clear guidelines on what information should be provided to schools through the consultation and he was concerned that some of these guidelines had not been followed in West Berkshire. Therefore he did not feel that the correct procedure had been followed to consider a transfer. Ian Pearson commented that the guidelines set out that two separate consultation documents should be sent out to schools and in West Berkshire this had been merged into one document and not as much information had been provided as had been by Reading Local Authority.

Keith Harvey stated that he felt conflicted regarding the transfer. He acknowledged the points made by David Ramsden and Patrick Mitchell however, understood that it was a difficult position to be in.

David Ramsden stated that he fully supported the position to further lobby the Government. There were more complex social issues that needed consideration.

The Chairman invited members of the Schools’ Forum to vote on whether they agree with Officer recommendation to approve the funding transfer. Jon Hewitt proposed that the Officer recommendation be approved and this was seconded by Angela Hayes. At the vote this motion was not carried.

RESOLVED that a transfer of 0.5% from the Schools’ Block to the HNB was not approved.