Agenda item

Amin Hussain introduced the report which set out the overall calculation of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) in 2019/20 and the current position for each of the funding blocks.

Amin Hussain drew attention to each of the funding block in turn. Regarding the Schools Block under section five of the report, the final funding for 2019/20 would be determined by the October 2018 pupil numbers multiplied by West Berkshire primary and secondary units of funding. Amin Hussain drew attention to section 5.3 which gave a breakdown of the block based on the October 2017 census numbers. More detail would be available at the next meeting of the Forum in January as the result of the October 2018 census had just been received.

Regarding the Central Schools Services Block under section six of the report, the Council’s Executive had agreed to meeting the statutory and regulatory duties costs in 2018/19, which was a one year only decision and there would be a requirement to find balance this block in 2019/20. Further details and proposals on the Central Schools Services Block would be brought to the meeting of the Schools’ Forum in January 2019.

Amin Hussain moved on to the Early Years Block and stated that it was too early to make an accurate forecast for the current year because funding would be based on the January 2019 census. 

Amin Hussain drew attention to section eight of the report regarding the High Needs Block (HNB). Forecasting would be based on the October 2018 census. A deficit had been set in 2016/17 with a plan to repay the amount over three years. It was unlikely that this would be achievable due to increasing demands on the block.

Amin Hussain drew attention to Appendix A to the report, which gave a breakdown of funding within each of the blocks. Appendix B showed the current deficit to be £2.2 million, which was considerably higher than the deficit, for the previous year. Amin Hussain commented that if the 0.5% transfer of funding from the Schools Block to the HNB was approved this would not eliminate the deficit however, it would go some way to helping the situation.

RESOLVED that the Schools’ Forum noted the report.