Agenda item

(To receive a report from Mark Popplewell, Head of Finance, Children's Services, which invites theSchools' Forum to comment on the Local Authority's funding formula proposals for 2020/21 following the government's funding announcements on the mainstream schools national funding formula proposals)

The Forum gave consideration to a report from Mark Popplewell, Head of Finance, Children's Services, which invited comments on the Local Authority's funding formula proposals for 2020/21 following the government's funding announcements on mainstream schools national funding formula proposals.

The Forum was reminded that the introduction of the national funding formula had created consistency in funding across all schools nationally ensuring a fairer settlement for each school.  Table 1, on Page 18 outlined Lincolnshire's Schools Block Unit of Funding for 2020/21 through the implementation of the national funding formula compared to other Local Authorities.  It was highlighted that Lincolnshire's primary unit value had increased by £373 from 2018/19 and Lincolnshire's secondary unit by £346.  It was noted however that Lincolnshire's funding rates were below the England average.

It was reported that on 30 August 2019, the Prime Minister had announced an investment of over £14bn in primary and secondary education between 2020/21 and 2022/23.  The announcement required Local Authorities to engage in open and transparent consultation on their 2020/21 funding formula.  It was noted that the schools consultation covered the period 25 November 2019 to 13 December 2019, a copy of the consultation document and details of the responses received were shown in Appendix A. The Forum gave consideration to the response document and officers responded to questions raised.

It was highlighted that the government's announcement of additional funding into schools would have a positive impact on Lincolnshire schools.  Details of the funding formula changes and monetary values attached to each formula factor (compared to 2019/20 funding levels) were shown within Appendix A to the report.

The Forum noted the key points for 2020/21 funding arrangements, which were shown on pages 18/19 of the report.  It was highlighted that all pupil-led formula factors would increase by 4% in monetary value, the minimum per pupil funding levels would be set at £3,750 for primary schools (currently £3,500) and £5,000 for secondary schools (currently £4,800), and no ceiling gap would be applied.   It was highlighted that it was the government's intention to move all schools onto the national funding formula, therefore losing schools currently receiving protection funding were likely to face reductions in per pupil funding at some point in the future. It was highlighted further that this impacted 5 primary schools and 5 secondary schools in Lincolnshire. 

It was reported that following the meeting, the Forum's comments would be shared with the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on 17 January 2020 during their consideration of the Schools National Funding Formula, prior to Executive Councillor approval on 21 January 2020.   It was noted that the Local Authority had to calculate and publish individual schools budgets by the 29 February 2020.

Details of the future direction of travel were shown on pages 21 and 22 of the report.

During discussion, the following points were raised:-

·         The positive effect for the primary school sector;

·         Schools in receipt of protection funding.  Confirmation was given that the ten schools affected were a mixture of academies and maintained schools.  Officers advised that the schools would need to plan for funding reduction in their medium term financial plans;

·         Low response to the consultation.  Some members of the Forum felt that the low response was due to the timing of the consultation.  Officers confirmed that the comments received had been useful. One member suggested that head teachers needed to be briefed better, as there was a lack of knowledge amongst some head teachers regarding the national funding formula.  Further comments raised were that it would be a useful exercise to find out why head teachers had not responded.  Officers confirmed that there was a comprehensive training programme available for schools, which was continually evolving, and the Local Authority had made great effort to ensure that information on the national funding formula was presented clearly and in a good level of detail for schools to understand; and

·         The positive picture for Lincolnshire and to the fact that the majority of schools were gaining through the formula meant that schools were overall happy and therefore did not feel the need to respond to the consultation.

RESOLVED

1.    That the National Funding Formula for Schools (2020/21) report presented be noted.

2.    That support be given to the Local Authority's funding formula proposals for 2020/21 including continuing to replicate the national funding formula.