Agenda item

Hine Thompson introduced the report (Agenda Item 9), which set out the proposed 2026/27 budgets for additional funds. It was noted that due to there being a deficit on the total Dedicated Schools Grant, the Department for Education had advised that the growth fund should be retained centrally. Hine Thompson reported that the Growth Fund balance at 31 March 2025 was £685k with an estimated balance of £1.9 million by March 2027 after contingencies and anticipated drawdowns. The Forum noted the information on growth funding and that agreement was sought to set the additional High Needs Fund at £272k. Hine Thompson explained that the additional High Needs budget had risen by £72k compared to the previous year (£200k). The additional funding was required to support a disproportionate rise in high?needs pupils, which was the main driver for the proposed increase. No questions were raised by members of the Forum.

The Chair invited the Forum to consider the recommendation to set the additional High Needs Fund at £272k. The recommendation was proposed and seconded and at the vote with all Forum members the motion was approved.

RESOLVED that the recommendation set out in section 2.2 of the report was noted.