Agenda item

Ian Pearson introduced the report, which set out the current financial position of the services funded by the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), highlighting any under or overspends.

Ian Pearson stated that there had been a significant deficit within the High Needs Block (HNB) in the past. In 2019/20 there was a deficit of £2.2 million.

Section 4.5 of the report outlined the quarter two forecast for each of the blocks and section 4.5 provided detail on the HNB. It stated that there was an underspend of £376k for the HNB, but it was important to note that this was against a planned deficit. Positively this underspend in the area had revised the deficit down to £1.6 million but there were another six months to go.

David Ramsden referred to the promise by central Government of £700 million nationally, the following years for high needs services. Ian Pearson advised that although the extra funding for high needs services was positive, it was unknown how much would be allocated to West Berkshire and if any funding would remain once the deficit had been funded.

RESOLVED that that the Schools’ Forum noted the report and that further information would be bought to the next meeting of the Schools’ Forum on 9^th December in line with the recommendation under section 2.1 of the report.