Agenda

Emma Allen (substitute for Geoff Wroe).

The notes are attached at Appendix A.

To elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman until the first meeting of the autumn term 2015.

          I.   To note that Kirsten Cooper, Head Teacher of Nelmes Primary School has been appointed as Head Teacher representative for primary cluster D.

         II.   To note that Christine Drew has been appointed as representative of the Pupil Referral Unit in place of Noel McNab.

        III.   To note that John Giles is appointed as UNISON rep in place of Dave Thomas. Pauline Lewis is the named substitute.

       IV.   To note the vacancies of two primary school governors, a special governor.

        V.   To note the retirement of Trevor Sim, representative of vulnerable children. The Schools Forum regulations no longer require this category of representation and the LA is therefore not proposing to seek a replacement.

To receive the provisional section 251 outturn statement for 2013-14. Appendix B refers.

The Chief Finance Officer is required to sign off the deployment of DSG. The CFO statement is attached at Appendix C with explanatory notes at Appendix C.1 for information.

To consider the returns from schools on use of balances carried forward from 2013-14. This document will be sent confidentially to Schools Funding Forum members as it is not for publication.

At the meeting of the Schools Funding Forum in June 2014 it was agreed to provide financial support to schools that were considered to be in financial difficulty due to falling roll numbers. The funding was allocated on a formulaic basis based on pupil numbers below capacity with an excluding factor of high carry forward balances. This was to be reviewed following receipt of schools’ explanations for their high balances.

The criteria for financial support are attached at Appendix D. The application of the criteria to schools will be sent to members confidentially as it is not for publication.

To note the funding arrangements for 2015-16. This 33 page document will be tabled at the meeting. The link to the DfE website is:

https://www.govuk/government/publications/fairer-schools-funding-arrangements-for-2015-to-2016

This document will be summarised at the meeting.

To note the EFA guidance on the implementation of the funding arrangements for 2015-16. This 75 page document will be tabled at the meeting. The link to the DfE website is:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fairer-schools-funding-arrangements-for-2015-to-2016

This document will be summarised at the meeting.

Changes in school and early years funding are determined through regulation. The DfE has launched a consultation on the changes to the regulations with a response deadline of 17^th October.

The documents can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/school-and-early-years-finance-england-regulations-2014

The LA is not proposing to respond to the consultation regulation.

The deadline for submitting applications to the DFE for exceptional premises factors and MFG exclusions relating to 2015-16 is 30^th September 2014.

The LA is not proposing to submit applications for exception.

A draft consultation document for schools on funding changes is attached at Appendix F.

To note that Pyrgo Priory School has received approval to convert to an academy. The expected date is 1^st January 2015.

Including Pyrgo there are 8 primary academies (of 59), 14 secondary academies (of 18) and a University Technical College (ELUTECH).

The OASIS Academy Romford (a Free School) is expected to open in September 2015.

LAs and Academies receive an Education Services Grant for services based on the number of children attending maintained schools. The impact on Havering of changes in 2015-16 is outlined at Appendix G.

Significant reductions to other council funding and other legislative changes also impact on the Council’s overall budget.

Document attached