Agenda and minutes

(i) To note that Steve Bower has joined the Forum as the primary LA maintained representative (Cluster E)

(ii) To note that Neil Frost and David Turrell have joined the Forum as secondary academy representatives

To agree the notes of the meeting held on 17th September as a correct and accurate record.

The notes of the meeting of the Forum held on 17 September 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

Minute 18 – The meeting between Mark Halls and the Director of Children’s Services had still not yet taken place.

Minute 19 – An amendment to the value from £4.80 to £4.90

Minute 20 – The Forum wished for an item regarding the ARP to be brought back to a future meeting.

Minute 23 – There had been no notification of early years funding.

Report and appendices attached.

The report presented to the members of the Forum gave an update on the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) data and methodology when calculating the funding.

The Forum noted the data had been updated in September 2019, 4 years after the previous update and, given the significant changes, noted that the EFSA had changed the criteria for pupils to enter 1 of the 7 IDACI bands. The Forum noted that fewer pupils had entered into bands B, C and D, an increase in band A but little change in bands E, F and G. Funding for each band had increased with the 2019 update but no national formula had been used to calculate the hourly rates. Members noted an announcement was due in July 2021 of a possible £700k contingency.

The Forum noted the report.

Report and appendices attached.

The report presented to the Forum summarised the DfE arrangements for funding and the responses from schools regarding a recent survey of additional COVID-19 related costs.

The Forum noted that there were 3 criteria for claims for additional costs incurred due to COVID-19 which had been made strict with particular note on if a school’s balance had increased, they could not claim for any funding. It was noted that 15 schools in Havering, which excluded academies due to a lack of data, had claimed extra funding in August 2020 totalling £118,638 with 23 school’s claiming in October 2020 totalling £182,067. Members noted that for primary and secondary schools, to catch up with premium and national funding programmes, they would receive £240 per pupil in 3 instalments, £60 in autumn 2020, £80 in spring 2021 and £100 in summer 2021.

Members of the Forum noted that primary schools had incurred additional costs averaging of £44k, an average net cost of £32k with an average loss of income of £21k. It was stated by a member of the Forum that schools budgets have shrunk and it shows how reliant on additional funding schools are. It was noted that, by the end of term, 42 staff had been furloughed.

The Forum noted the report.

Report and appendices attached.

The report presented to the Forum outlined the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Management Plan 2020-21 that had been released by the DfE.

The DSG was for any Council that had a deficit in schools funding and was noted that the deficit was at £1.13million with a projected increase by 0.5% by the end of the school year. It was explained that Havering has the lowest amount of EHCP pupils per population and the DSG plan would be presented to the Forum at least termly.

The Forum noted the report.

Report and appendices attached.

The report summarised the DSG schools funding block for the 2021-22 financial year.

The Forum:

Considered the range of options presented on allocating funding to schools for 2021-22

Considered the funding of a pupil growth and falling rolls fund

Agreed to a consultation with schools on an appropriate formula allocation or range of options and the funding of a pupil growth and falling rolls fund

Future meetings have been arranged as follows:

17 December 2020

21 January 2021

23 March 2021

17 June 2021

Meetings to start at 9.30 a.m. at CEME or as virtual meetings, depending on

circumstances.

The next meeting of the Forum would be held on Thursday 21 January 2021 at 9.30 am.

There was no other business.