Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from James Birkett, Kathryn Murphy and Paul Wheeler.

RESOLVED that: The minutes of the meeting held on the 14^th December be agreed as an accurate record.

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

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

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

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Forum considered a report by the Senior Finance Business Partner, which outlined the details of the 2024/25 DSG settlement.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Forum considered a report by the Senior Finance Business Partner, which outlined the:

·         2024/25 Schools Block DSG Allocation for Schools Forum to note.

·         Proposed 2024/25 Mainstream Primary and Secondary School Budgets for Schools Forum to agree to recommend to North Northamptonshire’s Executive and Council for approval.

·         Proposed Growth Fund Budget for Schools Forum to agree to recommend to North Northamptonshire’s Executive and Council for approval.

RESOLVED that: The Forum:

a) Approves that the Minimum Funding Guarantee be set at 0.5% (the maximum allowed) for 2024/25, all gains capped at 0.5% and scaled to 100%.

b) Approves the transfer of 0.5% to the High Needs Block from the Schools Block, which amounts to £1,436,386.

c) Approves the remainder of £2,269,846 to Growth Fund to address the growth and sufficiency issues in North Northamptonshire.

d) Approves the de-delegation of £3.79 per pupil for Trade Union Facilities Time, £12.78 per pupil for School Effectiveness and £22.48 for Insurance and Maintained Primary and Secondary Schools.

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

RESOLVED that: The Forum agrees the Central Expenditure for the proposed 2024/25 Education Functions to be funded from the Central Schools Services Block of the DSG.

The Forum considered a report by the Assistant Director for Education, which outlined the forecast outturn position for the High Needs Block of the DSG for 2023/24, and the proposed draft budget for the High Needs Block 2024/25.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Forum considered a report by the the Early Education and Childcare Lead, which outlined the initial 2024/25 proposed Early Years budgets, announced in November 2023 by the DfE and the methodology for allocating funding to providers.

RESOLVED that: The Forum:

a) Approves 5% to be centrally retained by the local authority to support the provision of central early years related services and in the discharge of its undertaking in providing statutory functions in each of the funding streams.

b) Approves the funding rates and levels of funding for 2024/25.

c) Approves the Maintained Nursery School Supplement to be split on participation basis.

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

RESOLVED that: The Forum:

a) Approves the Growth Fund of £2,269,846.17 for 2024/25.

b) Refrains from approving a Falling Roll Fund for 2024/25, with the intention of revisiting this topic for 2025/26.

There was none.

There being no further business the meeting was closed.