To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 28 October 2024.

The Chair advised that the minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2024 would be deferred to next scheduled meeting of the Forum for consideration as a correct record.

The report of the Directorate Finance Lead – Education and Schools is enclosed.

The Forum considered a report of the Directorate Finance Lead – Children’s and Schools which discussed Department of Education (DfE) policy and budget announcements made on 3 October 2024 and 30 October 2024 respectively.

No major changes were announced in respect of the factors used to allocate funding to schools (an overview of pupil and school-led factors that determine the funding allocations were outlined in the report). The key headline for the sector from budget statement was an additional £2.3bn of funding for schools. However, detailed analyses of the allocations for local authorities and schools were not yet available.

The Forum noted that the Council was due to receive the 2025/26 financial settlement in December 2024 along with its DSG allocation and that funding would be allocated as outlined in the funding policy guidelines.

Decision

To note the report.

The report of the Director of Education is enclosed.

The Forum considered a report of the Director of Education that highlighted pressures in the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block (HNB) and gave an update on the work undertaken to date to address those pressures. An update on the recent Schools Block transfer consultation as part of 2025/26 budget setting arrangements. The report stated that despite welcoming the recent budget announcement with regard to additional funding, it was still anticipated to be insufficient to meet on-going pressures.

The report included information about:

• Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Support
• HNB Forecasting and benchmarking
• An update on the respective workstreams of the HNB Recovery Plan
• The outcome of the recent Schools Block transfer consultation as par of 2025/26 budget setting –

The Directorate Lead and Schools Finance introduced the report and responded to questions arising from the report. Forum Members noted the work undertaken to date on the HNB Recovery Plan and the future actions arising from the 0.5% block transfer consultation and the budget announcement.

Decision

To note the report.

The report of the Directorate Finance Lead – Education and Schools is enclosed.

The Forum considered a report of the Directorate Finance Lead – Schools and Education which sought permissions from maintained School Forum representatives on the 2025/26 de-delegation, for the deduction of Education Services Grant (ESG) duties and Trade Union facilities.

Maintained schools’ representatives were asked to approve de-delegation for the following:

• Trade Union Duties: £207k which at current pupil levels equates to £6.68 per school aged pupil.

• Education Services Grant (ESG) General Duties: £0.540m which at current pupil levels equates to £17.45 per school aged pupil.

The Principal Finance Manager introduced the report, highlighting key points for consideration. She also responded to questions from members regarding the impact of the proposals. After careful consideration eligible members voted unanimously in favour of the approval of both de-delegations.

Decision

1. To note the report.

2. To approve the delegation of:
   
   • Trade Union Duties: £207k; and

• Education Services Grant (ESG) General Duties: £0.540m