Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Kathryn Murphy and Angela Prodger.

RESOLVED that: The minutes of the meeting held on the 2nd November be agreed as an accurate record.

The Forum considered a report by The Finance Business Partner, which outlined the budget position based on the second quarter, representing April 2023 to September 2023, and consequently, the anticipated year end balances forecast.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Forum considered a report by The Finance Business Partner, which outlined North Northamptonshire Council’s Scheme for Financing Schools.

RESOLVED that: The Forum notes the consultation responses and recommends to approve the changes outlined, which have been incorporated into the Scheme for Financing Schools 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The Forum considered a report by The Finance Business Partner, which provided an analysis of all responses received as part of the consultation with maintained schools regarding the Deficit Budget Policy for 2024/25.

RESOLVED that: The Forum notes the consultation responses and Maintained Schools Forum voting members approve to continue to adopt the policy.

The Forum considered a report by The Finance Business Partner, which outlined North Northamptonshire Council’s policy on the Control of Surplus Balances in Schools.

RESOLVED that:

a) The Forum notes the consultation responses and approves the policy.

b) The policy is implemented for the current financial year 2023/24 and applies to balances held at 31st March 2024.

The Forum considered a report by The Senior Finance Business Partner, which outlined the financial position of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), against the budget for 2023/24.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Forum considered a verbal update by The Senior Finance Business Partner, which provided an update regarding the consultation responses received relating to mainstream schools’ Funding Formula.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Forum considered a report by The Senior Finance Business Partner, which provided an update regarding the local authority’s proposals for central expenditure on education functions for the fiscal year 2024/25.

RESOLVED that:

a) The Forum notes the outcomes of the consultation.

b) Maintained Forum members deferred a vote to approve further de-delegation for Education Functions from maintained Primary, Secondary and Special School Budgets to address the shortfall in Central Schools Services Block funding. Maintained members requested that the consultation be extended.

The Forum considered a report by The Assistant Director for Education, which outlined North Northamptonshire schools’ pooled facilities time arrangements for the 2023/24 financial year (at a rate of £3.56 per pupil).

RESOLVED that:

a) Maintained School Forum members approve the de-delegation of budgets to fund a pooled facility time arrangement between maintained schools within North Northamptonshire.

b) Maintained members vote to increase the current rate of £3.56 in line with the teacher’s pay settlement of 6.5%, to give a new rate of £3.79 per pupil.

The Forum considered a report by The Assistant Director for Education, which outlined the de-delegation of School Effectiveness for maintained schools.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Forum considered a report by The Underwriting Manager, which outlined schools insurance arrangements, which were de-delegated for all North Northamptonshire maintained primary and secondary schools with a traded option for nursery and special school settings.

RESOLVED that:

a) The Forum noted the available purchasing options for insurance.

b) The Forum approves the de-delegation of primary and secondary schools with a traded service to nursery and special schools.

The Forum considered a report by The Assistant Director for Education, which provided an update regarding the Growth Fund spend and the National Funding Formula Growth Fund and Falling Roll Pupils formula update for 2024/25.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Forum considered a report by The Assistant Director for Education, which outlined the consultation responses received regarding the Falling Pupil Roll Fund Proposal 2024/25.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Forum considered a report by The Assistant Director for Education, which outlined the outcome of the consultation regarding North Northamptonshire Council’s Permanent Exclusion Clawback Policy for 2024/25.

RESOLVED that: The Forum approves the policy in line with the outcome of the consultation and the requirements of the legislation.

The Forum considered a report by The Early Years Business Compliance and Funding Support Service Manager, which outlined the indicative allocation of the 2024/25 Early Years budgets.

RESOLVED that: The Forum:

a) Notes the funding and methodology used to arrive at the budgets and indicative hourly rates of the Early Years Block budgets in 2024/25.

b) Notes and approves the budget set aside for SENIF and acknowledges the removal of Notional SEND to support settings to receive a swift response and access to funds ensuring children with low and emerging needs are supported quickly and that more children can be supported appropriately.

c) Noted and approves the change in North Northamptonshire Council’s Early Years Funding Formula to include the two additional cohorts of funded children.

d) Approves the funding rates and levels of funding for 2024/25 detailed in the report.

The Forum considered a report by The Assistant Director for Education, which provided detail regarding the calculation of the Notional SEN allocation and guidance relating to when it may be appropriate to seek additional resources.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Forum considered a report by The Assistant Director for Education, which provided information regarding the NHS Integrated Care Board’s joint commissioning proposal for securing speech and language therapy services.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

There was none.

There being no further business the meeting was closed.