Decision details

Cabinet considered a report on the schools funding formula for 2019/20.

The report set out the process to determine the schools funding formula and followed detailed consideration of the matter by the Schools Forum in December 2018.

At the invitation of the Chairman, David Hermitt, Chairman of the Schools Forum, spoke in support of the recommendations in the report. He also urged the Council to support those organisations that were working to improve the national funding available for Cheshire East schools.

Michael Unett referred to the loss of funding for a number of schools in Alsager as an example of what was happening to schools across the Borough. He urged the Council to lobby for fair funding for Cheshire East schools.

In response, the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families indicated that the Council was lobbying Members of Parliament for Cheshire East who were tabling the issue of funding for schools for debate in Parliament as well as arranging to meet Ministers. She undertook to send a detailed response to Mr Unett in relation to the funding of schools in Alsager. She also thanked the Schools Forum for supporting the proposals in the report.

The Leader added that the Council would continue to lobby and press for improved funding for Cheshire East Schools.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves

1.    the use of the local formula Cheshire East which delivers the minimum per pupil funding level of £3,500 for primary schools and £4,800 to secondary schools;

2.    the use of -1.5% as the minimum funding guarantee percentage. Meaning that no school can lose more than 1.5% per annum, excluding pupil number changes;

3.    the transfer of 0.5% of funding from the schools block to the high needs block to manage expenditure pressures in that area and fund projects to achieve sustainability; and

4.    the continuation of the current early years hourly funding rates into 2019/20. The average rate for 3 and 4 year olds is £4.09 per hour and the rate for 2 year olds is £5.02 per hour.