Agenda and minutes

To elect the Chair of the Schools Forum for 2019/2020

This item was deferred until the next meeting to give members of the Forum more time to consider nominations. 

To elect the Vice Chair of the Schools Forum for 2019/20

This item was deferred until the next meeting to give the Forum more time to consider nominations. 

Apologies for absence had been received from Rob Earrey, Alex Yates and Vijita Patel.

Elizabeth Kitcatt had given apologies for having to leave early.

RESOLVED

THAT the Schools Forum membership and the renewals that needed to take place would be actioned.

To Note: All

Action By: Members of the Schools Forum

No declarations were made.

There were no announcements.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 11^th June 2019.

RESOLVED –

That minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday11th June 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

To Note: All

Matters Arising

The Schools Forum had recently considered two reports on Early Years and had been scheduled to receive a further update report on Early Year and School Place Planning. Unfortunately the report was not available for this meeting because there was still ongoing work with schools as part of refining the proposals. The Forum was told that there would be further information at the next meeting.    

Action By: Director of Integrated Commissioning, Supporting People

There was no urgent business.

To note the Schools Forum terms of reference.

RESOLVED

That the terms of reference be noted and that the clerk would get advice about having more than one Forum member from the same school and how long a member could serve as the Chair

To Note: All

Action By: Clerk to the Schools Forum

To consider the planned agenda for the next meeting in October.

RESOLVED

THAT the agenda planning for the next meeting in October be noted.

To Note: All

 Report of Director of Integrated Commissioning, Supporting People

This report updates the forum on the national funding position following the update in December 2018 of the latest ESFA guidance on schools funding for 2019/20. It reminds the forum of estimates of the possible impacts on resources up to and beyond 2019/20. It then sets out a draft consultation document for comment by the forum, seeking the views of schools and other interested parties about any changes to the school funding arrangements for 2020/21.

The report recaps that the schools national funding formula (NFF) was introduced in April 2018/19 with transitional arrangements whereby local authorities maintain a local funding formula for the distribution of schools and high needs block grants, until 2019/20. It explains how the ministerial announcement on 24^th July 2018 has now extended this arrangement for 2020/21 making 2021/22 the earliest year for the completed national funding formula proposals.

The report also indicates the current budget pressures and the position regarding possible draw down from DSG reserves for the High Needs block.

The consultation section of the report outlines the current and any proposed changes to the local funding formula (primary and secondary schools) used for the distribution of the schools DSG block. The recommendation of no changes to the current formula follows the continued wish to consolidate previous changes and to concentrate on dealing with the real terms funding reductions to school budgets caused by below inflation increases to per pupil funding in recent years. The report also explains the timetable leading up to a decision on the funding formula by the authority, which is required prior to the end of October in order to comply with a requirement to inform the government of any changes by 30^th November.  

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Integrated Commissioning, Supporting People. The report provided an update on the national funding position following the update in December 2018 on the latest ESFA guidance on schools funding for 2019/20. It provided a reminder of the estimates of the possible impacts on resources up to and beyond 2019/20, set out a draft consultation document that would seek the views of schools and other interested parties about any changes to the school funding arrangements for 2020/21. 

Points raised during consideration of the report included:

·         The formula for funding the teacher pay award. That the government contribution to the increase was based on pupil numbers at a school and schools would have to meet the funding shortfall from money set aside from its school budget  

·         Early Years funding pressures

·         High Needs Block funding pressures  

The Schools Forum asked for further information on whether the scheduled work at Carlton School offered by the LSU had taken place?

As outlined in the report, the consultation recommended no changes to the current formula. The consultation would last four weeks and there would be a report back to the Forum at the next meeting in October. 

In response to questions the Forum was told that:

·         Given the current financial and political circumstances hopefully there would be clearer information from the government on funding issues later in the year

·         There were no Camden schools running at a financial deficit and so there had not been any take up of the Short Licence Deficit Scheme  

RESOLVED

a)    THAT the developments regarding the planned implementation of the national funding formula, as set out in sections 1 to 5 be noted

b)    THAT the current pressures on schools budgets and the support being provided by the Council in sections 6 to 7 and the timetable for consultation on the local funding formula as outlined in section 7 be noted

c)    THAT the draft 2020/21 budget consultation document prior to circulation to schools and other relevant parties, as described in sections 8 to 9 and set out in appendix 1 be agreed

To Note: All

Action By: Director of Integrated Commissioning, Supporting People

Report of the Head of Business Operations,  Camden Learning

The report sets out the London Borough of Camden (LBC) commission requirement made of Camden Learning in supporting LBC Schools Traded Services (Camden Schools Services - CSS).  It summarises some of the key activities and initiatives that have been undertaken over the past year. And sets out in what has been a transitory year; the areas of further of focus and development that will be undertaken to produce successful sustainable schools’ services

The report author was unwell and had sent apologies for being unable to attend the meeting.  The Schools Forum asked for more up to date/accurate data on the number of schools buying into the service and further information on the efficiencies and comparative data to be included in a report at the next meeting.  

To Note: All

Action By: Head of Business Operations

To note that the next meeting would take place at 6pm on Tuesday 29^th October 2019 and the following dates for 2019 /20.  

Tuesday 3^rd December 2019

Tuesday 4^th February 2020

Tuesday 9^th June 2020

It was noted that the next meeting would take place at 6pm on Tuesday 29^th October 2019 and the following dates for 2019 /20 were also noted:   

Tuesday 3^rd December 2019

Tuesday 4^th February 2020

Tuesday 9^th June 2020

To Note: All

There was no urgent business.