(i) To note that Hayley McClenaghan has joined the Forum as the primary LA maintained representative (Cluster C).

The Forum is to agree the notes of the meeting held on 3November as  correct and accurate.

The notes of the meeting of the Forum held on 3 November 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

The Forum noted that the Assistant Director of Children’s Services had spoken to Mark Halls to have a meeting set up.

Report attached.

The report presented to the Forum gave an update on the financial impact that COVID-19 had had on schools.

The Forum noted that in May 2020 the DfE had advised schools of the opportunity to claim for a limited range of additional costs that had been incurred. 38 LA maintained schools had received a total of £300,705. There would be a second opportunity for schools to submit a claim, but only for costs incurred between March and July 2020.

It was also noted that the DfE had announced the creation of a Coronavirus workforce fund for schools. This would be applicable for the second half term of the autumn. Where a school’s level of staff absence was more than 20% on one day, or more than 10% for more than 15 days, the school could submit a claim. Schools with a balance of more than 4% would not be able to claim.

It was noted that there was a grant of £3.50 a week available for free school meals to meet the difference in cost between supplying meals in school and providing food parcels.

Members of the Forum were concerned that funding for the mass vaccination programme may not be available to schools with increasing balances.

There was no funding available for a school’s loss of income.

Similar funding had not been made available to early years settings.

The Schools Funding Forum noted the current funding arrangements.

The Forum is to agree the exempt notes of the meeting held on 3November as correct and accurate.

The exempt notes of the meeting of the Forum held on 3 November 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

There were no matters to be considered by the Forum.

Report attached.

The Forum received a report detailing the Local Authority’s recommendations on the funding of Havering’s schools and academies for financial year 2021-22.

The Forum noted that the funding consultation with schools had proposed a Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) of 0.5% with no gains cap. The consultation had been based on indicative funding figures provided by the DfE. The Forum noted that the Local Authority had now been informed of the final Dedicated Schools Grant Schools Block allocation for 2021-22, together with the pupil data for October 2020 that would be used to calculate 2021-22 school allocations.

The Forum members were pleased to note that Havering’s School Block allocation had increased by 4.0% compared to 2020-21. This increase included funding for 611 more pupils than in the indicative allocation.

It was also noted that a transfer of £550k to the Growth Fund was required to maintain school funding for growth and falling rolls at the current level.

Recalculation of 2021-22 school budgets using the final funding allocation, and October 2020 pupil data, showed that a Minimum Funding Guarantee of 1.75% could now be afforded, together with no funding cap.

The Forum agreed:

1.    The Local Authority adopts the national funding formula rates for the funding of schools and academies in financial year 2021-22 and also ensures that all schools receive a minimum funding guarantee of 1.75% per pupil, with no gains capped.

2.    That £550,000 of the DSG Schools Block is used to support the Pupil Growth/Falling Rolls Fund

Report attached.

The Forum received a report which outlined the final allocation received for the Dedicated Schools Grant Central School Services Block.

The Forum noted the total Central School Services Block (CSSB) had increased from the indicative figure, provided at the September 2020 meeting, due to an increase in pupil numbers.

The Forum agreed that the additional sum in the final allocation be held as a contingency.

Report attached.

The report presented to the Forum provided a forecast of the expenditure against the 2020-21 High Needs budget and provided details of the Dedicated Schools Block for High Needs for 2021-22.

The Forum noted that the projected overspend had increased from £2.4million to £4.1million, with an increased in-year overspent forecasted at £3million. The Forum noted the High Needs Forecast of 2020-21 showed total funding was £25.1million with a cumulative overspend of £4million. It was noted that the 10% increase in the Dedicated Schools Block for High Needs for 2021-22, was not sufficient to cover the deficit.

The Forum:

1.    Noted the year-end forecast of High Needs expenditure for financial year 2020-21

2.    Noted the Dedicated Schools Grant - High Needs Block allocation for financial year 2021-22

Report attached.

As proposed by the Chair, the Forum agreed to have this report presented at a special single item meeting of the Forum. This would allow prior discussion at the Early Years Provider Representation Group.

Future meetings have been arranged as follows:

23 March 2021

17 June 2021

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

circumstances.

The single item meeting of the Forum to discuss early years funding would be held on Tuesday 23^rd February at 9.30m via Zoom.

The next normal meeting of the Forum would be held on Tuesday 23 March 2021 at 9.30 am via Zoom.

The Forum noted that the process for providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Early Years settings and schools had been finalised.