Agenda item

Report of the Head of 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 funding rates (section 3.11)

c)    Provide any further comment regarding the 2024/25 funding (section 2.13)

d)    Identify any areas of funding for review in autumn 2024 ahead of the funding year 2025/26.