Agenda and minutes

To agree the procedures for the operation of remote meetings.

RESOLVED -

THAT the guidance be noted.

To note the Schools Forum membership list and any updates.

RESOLVED -

THAT the membership list be noted.

Apologies for absence were received from Jen Allan and Bob House.

There were no declarations.

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair to announce the following: ‘In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record this meeting, I would like to remind everyone that this meeting is being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and can be viewed on our website for twelve months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts are archived and can be made available upon request.

If you have asked to address the meeting, you are deemed to be consenting to having your contributions recorded and broadcast, including video when switched on, and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes’. 

Any other announcements

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair announced the following: “In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record this meeting, I would like to remind everyone that this meeting is being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and can be viewed on our website for six months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts are archived and can be made available upon request.

If you have asked to address the meeting, you are deemed to be consenting to being filmed and to the use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes. If you are addressing the Committee your contribution will be recorded and broadcast.”

To consider and approve the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2023.

RESOLVED -

THAT the minutes of the held on 5 December 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

There was no urgent business.

Report of the Headof Education Commissioning and School Organisation.

This report updates the schools forum on the estimated funding available for 2024/25 following the recent Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) finance settlement notification on 19^th December 2023 and details the anticipated use of this money to fund schools early years and high needs. It then outlines future funding pressures the current DSG reserves position, de-delegation and the latest advice on energy costs.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Education Commissioning and School Organisation.

Victor Saunders, Team Leader Schools and Designated Schools Grant (DSG), introduced the report which covered the following areas: Education Schools Funding Agency (ESFA) resources allocation to Camden; Camden overall school budget; planning for future funding pressures; changes between the 2023/243 and the 2024/25 National Funding Formula (NFF);  national comparison of London boroughs funding; distribution of resources in Camden 2024/25; distribution of Local Funding Formula by Camden in 2024/25; funding pressures - preparation by schools for future pressures support and ESFA Announcements since December 2023; de-delegated schools budget; energy costs; and the schools funding timetable.

The Chair thanked officers for the report and invited questions and comments from the Forum. The following was discussed:

·       In response to a question, it was confirmed that the final adjusted allocations would be distributed to schools on week commencing 12 February.

·       In response to a question, it was confirmed that Camden schools buying power had decreased c.20% compared to a decade ago, due to several factors, including falling rolls and inflation. The falling rolls alone had cost the Council c.£2.5 million. There were growing discussions between London schools and London Councils about the financial shortfall, who had started conversations with Government.

·       In relation to section 5.2, it was confirmed that in the past the schools block made contributions to the Early Years block of c.£0.5million, which were no longer required through that channel. This was a contributing factor to the schools block reserves recently increasing.

·       In relation to section 4.9, it was confirmed that the EFSA had not yet informed the Council how the teacher pensions grant would be allocated, however it was expected the Department for Education (DfE) would use the per pupil funding rate.

·       A member asked how the Council would collectively or individually support schools where budgets were becoming more unsustainable and potentially become in a position where a licenced deficit recovery plan would not suffice in balancing the budget. In response, officers stated that Camden’s schools block budget was in a more stable position than many other local authorities, which meant they were in a better starting position a challenging environment. However, there was no scope in revenue funding therefore the Council had to support schools strategically and collaboratively, for example when facing boroughwide challenges in primary school organisation and SEND.

·       It was confirmed that schools would be notified of the additional financial support from the ESFA for refugee grants before February 2024 half-term.

·       Members noted that schools were awaiting notification of the level of funding that individual schools would receive for meals provision. In response, it was confirmed that the Greater London Authority (GLA) had distributed the first two tranches of meals funding, and the third was expected before fiscal year end.

RESOLVED -

THAT Schools Forum

a)    Note and agree the latest estimates of individual schools and growth budgets (section 3.7) and Appendix 1 and 2.

b)    Note and agree the provisional Early Years  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Report of the Head of Education Commissioning and School Organisation.

This report summarises the Free Early Education entitlements funded by the government for 2, 3 and 4 year olds and outlines the additional entitlements that were announced in March 2022 and will be phased in from April 2024.

The report also proposes a new approach to the allocation of Camden’s Local Inclusion Fund which supports providers to meet the needs of children with emerging special educational needs or disabilities.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Education Commissioning and School Organisation.

Debbie Adams, Head of Early Years, introduced the report which covered the following areas: free early education entitlements; the funding formula; Camden Local Inclusion Fund (CLIF); the application process; and the timeline for implementation.

The Chair thanked officers for the report and invited questions and comments from the Forum. The following was discussed:

·       A member stated that CLIF had the potential to target resources more effectively and expand provision, by should be used carefully.

·       A member stated that it was an ongoing concern that there were schools with a significant number of unfilled school spaces. In response, officers stated that schools could consider offering provision to younger children and suggested that if a family enrolled a child at 1 year old, parents would be unlikely to move the child when they reached 2-3 years old, which would stabilise the school intake.

·       In relation to section 3.11 and table 5, a member noted that £12.50 did not cover the costs to care for babies with a staff-to-child ratio of 1:2. The member noted that for every hour of CLIF funding their nursery lost money, which exacerbated by the needs of younger children increasingly requiring more intensive 1:1 support, alongside increasing staff wages, which CLIF does not compensate for; there was a financial disincentive for settings to take children with additional needs. The member added that an advantage of CLIF was that that the paperwork was easier to complete. Officers stated that there was not enough money in the system and funding allocation was a financial balancing act. The Council was required to pass through at least 95% of the funding received by government to providers, and Camden was now able to pass through 97% for children under three. The funding for providers was allocated to local nurseries using a local funding formula and could be used by nurseries flexibly, such as for 1:1 or group-based support. Officers stated that CLIF received funding from the High Needs Block (HNB), and the actual spend on CLIF had increased due to increasing needs but the hourly rates per child had decreased. Officers confirmed they would discuss the HNB contribution to CLIF, including CLIF rates and CLIF demand, at the High Needs Subgroup.

Action By – Director of Education Commissioning and Inclusion

·       A member noted that Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) nurseries usually had higher on roll figures because of the more flexible offer to working parents, such as offering hours other than the standard 9am-3.30pm. The member also stated that schools should positively consider enrolling 2 year olds because it was a good opportunity to keep those children when school age, a nursery offer could be explored to be flexible and generate income for a school in a businesslike and sustainable model. Another member said that schools would also have to consider the space and resource implications of extending their provision to young children, and different districts of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Report of the Director of Education Commissioning and Inclusion.

This report provides an update on the position of the 2023/24 HNB and on the basis of this, funding proposals for 2024/25.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Education Commissioning and Inclusion.

Vikram Hansrani, Director of Education Commissioning and Inclusion, introduced the report which provided an update on the position of the 2023/24 HNB and funding proposals for 2024/25.

The Chair thanked officers for their report and invited questions and comments from the Forum. The following was discussed:

·       In response to a request from a member, officers confirmed they would provide a breakdown of newer Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) issued in the last calendar year and a breakdown of the total EHCPs and Exceptional Needs Grants (ENGs) based on year groups.

Action By – Director of Education Commissioning and Inclusion

·       Officers stated that there were strengths but also challenges for Camden in additional needs provision for children and council officers would collaborate with school leaders and health partners to strengthen early intervention to meet children’s needs in areas within the Council’s control. The development of the HNB Subgroup would ensure there was strong oversight and governance around how the HNB was used and that the money was being used efficiently and positive outcomes could be demonstrated.

·       A member asked if the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) process would consider the thresholds between the ENG model and the transition towards EHCPs and if that model could be linked into the High Needs Subgroup’s scoping work and recommendations. Officers responded that the HHB Subgroup had started to explore the cluster model, which was based on ENGs, and the group had identified that the ENG model and the measurement of successful outcomes needed to be strengthened. Officers confirmed the group would be looking at transitional events where children moved from ENG to EHCP and what support children needed. An email had been sent to schools to capture feedback on ENGs.

·       A member noted that the paper set out a changed financial position and forecast compared to the June 2023 meeting, in that officers were now reporting that the reserves position would be depleted by 2027/28. It was understood that there had to be sustainable planning of the model, however it was noted that schools still needed money now. The member suggested the group should investigate the model going forward in great detail because that pot of money could make a significant different to children.

RESOLVED -

THAT Schools’ Forum note the updated High Needs Block position and the funding proposals for 2024/25.

Report of the Head of Education Commissioning and School Organisation.

Camden Council has regularly reported to Schools Forum concerning the ongoing consideration of future School Meals contract.

The following presentation sets out the Council’s current consideration of future school meals delivery within the Borough and the range of options available to the Council.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Education Commissioning and School Organisation.

Nick Smith, Head of Education Commissioning and School Organisation, gave an update on the school meals contract position. The Council was conducting background work and was receiving legal advice on the procurement options for a sustainable food offer to schools. As part of the consideration of the different options, in addition to the views of Schools Forum, the Council would engage with schools and headteachers in a subgroup that would run until Easter. The quality element on meals would involve Public Health colleagues. The final decision on whether the new contract was insourced or outsourced would be for Cabinet.

RESOLVED -

THAT Schools’ Forum note the current position and the timeline of activity over the next period.

To consider and note the Schools Forum forward plan.

The forward plan was noted.

The final meeting of the 2023-24 academic year is on 4 June 2024.

The final meeting date of the 2023-24 academic year would be on 4 June 2024.

There was no urgent business.