Agenda item

To consider a report seeking approval of the planned use of the different elements of the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2024/25 in terms of schools, high needs, early years and central blocks. To include specific approval of the schools funding formula and early years funding formula.

The committee received the report on the Schools Funding Formula and Early Years Funding Formula for 2024/25.

There was a concern that there had been a low turnout at the meeting of the Schools Forum, during which the recommendations to committee had been voted on. Some members felt that this was therefore not representative of all views and difficult to ensure the decision made was fair to all schools. Officers gave assurances that there had been no administrative issues behind the low turnout. Non-attendance was now being monitored and membership would be reviewed as needed going forward.

It was noted that there was an error in the table on page 22 of the agenda pack and that the percentage change shown should be 5%, rather than 0.5%.

RESOLVED:

Schools Block (by majority):

That the Children and Families committee approve the following for the adoption of the Schools Funding Formula 2024/25:

1.    The use of a local funding formula that uses the Department for Education (DfE) national funding formula factors, uplifted for the Cheshire East area cost adjustment, and with any additional funding being allocated via the basic entitlement factor. The formula factors are set out at Appendix 2

2.    The use of +0% as the minimum funding guarantee percentage

3.    Setting a local Growth Fund at a value of £1.000m

4.     Block transfer of 0.5% (£1.428m) from the schools block to the high needs block. This is dependent on approval of the disapplication by the DfE

5.    In the event that the disapplication for the block transfer is not approved by the DfE that the following formula be used: i) The use of 0% as the minimum funding guarantee percentage. ii) Setting a local Growth Fund at a value of £1.493m. iii)No block transfer between the schools block and high needs block

6.    Provides delegated authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to use the schools block grant and the mainstream schools additional grant in accordance with relevant guidance

7.    Provides delegated authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to make disapplications to the DfE should it be required in the future

Early Years Block (by majority):

8.    The continued use of the current funding formula that passes 95% of the funding allocation to providers of the early education entitlements and increase the hourly rates by the same percentage increase as the increased funding from the DfE

9.    Pay all providers of the early education entitlements for 2 year olds and under universal base rates based on 95% of the DfE allocated rate

10. The new funding rates. The rates for 2023/24 and the proposed rates for 2024/25 are set out at Appendix 4

11. Remove English as an additional language (EAL) as a specific element of the formula and revert to funding EAL via the universal base rate

12. Provides delegated authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to use the early years grant in accordance with relevant guidance

13.That the committee delegates authority to the Director of Education, Strong Start and Integration to enter into revised contracts with providers in accordance with the DfE funding increase

High Needs Block (by majority)

14.That the committee approves the provisional budget allocations of the high needs block and additional high needs funding as set out in Appendix 5

15. Provides delegated authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to use the high needs block and additional high needs funding in accordance with relevant guidance

Central Schools Services Block (by majority):

16.That the committee approves the provisional budget allocations and use of the central schools services block as per Appendix 6

17.Provides delegated authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to use the Central Schools Services grant in accordance with relevant guidance