Agenda item

Jane Seymour introduced the report (Agenda Item 9), which sought a decision on the Theale Learning and Literacy (LAL) funding deficit and LAL budgets for 2023-24. The recommendation was for the Forum to agree to a new model for funding the LALs at Theale and Winchcombe Primary Schools, which were an important part of the district’s Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.

The proposed model for funding was set out in the report and would mean an increase of about £13k per LAL per annum starting from April 2023. There was also a recommendation in the report to agree a contribution to the deficit which had built up in the Theale LAL budget due to under-funding of the LALs (£51,813). This figure had been calculated by applying the new funding model retrospectively to see what the funding should have been for the LALs in previous years.

The table under 4.1 of the report showed that minimal increase in the LALs budget had not kept pace with what was needed. Between 2019-20 and 2021-22 the budget allocated for the LALs did not fully cover the cost of the teacher in charge.

The Chair invited the Forum to consider the recommendation under section two of the report. It was proposed and seconded that the recommendations be approved and at the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that:

·           The recommendation to agree a contribution to the deficit that had built up in the Theale LAL budget was approved by the Forum. 

·           The recommendation to increase the budget allocation to both LALS from 2023-24 to cover costs was approved by the Forum.