Minutes:
Context:
We received the proposed changes to the funding formula for schools which provided members with an update on the proposed changes to the school funding formula and provided members with details of any consultation responses received in relation to these proposals.
Paper 1: Threshold funding for Teaching staff, Top up funding for Primary schools and funding for Free School Meals.
Key Issues:
The School Budget Forum agreed to review the formula every year and to look at potential changes to ensure the formula remains up to date and to ensure that it continues to distribute funding in the fairest way.
Following the establishment of a working group, with requested representatives from all groups of schools, this consultation document sets out the areas that are to be considered for implementation for the financial year 2016-17.
The areas to be considered are:
· Threshold Funding
· Top Up Funding
· Free Primary School Meals
Threshold funding is for schools with employees on the Upper Pay Scale (UPS). It is currently a large administrative burden to determine the required funding each year as schools are required to provide details of all staff on UPS and determine if they will be eligible to increase in September. Also due to the changes in teachers’ pay and conditions, if a teacher applies to increase more than one point and is successful the school currently would not have the funding for that financial year and vice versa, schools who have accelerated teachers and have been funded will reduce funding available to other schools.
Top up funding is for Primary Schools only, it is additional funding to support the funding for a teacher generated by pupil numbers. For example 91 pupils in Key Stage 2, would fund the school for four teachers. We see large differences with the level of funding year on year, for example if a school suddenly has 31 pupils, this would generate funding for 2 teachers, however it is likely that the school will arrange mixed classes and therefore an additional teacher would not be required.
Primary Schools currently receive funding for free school meals, this is an historical factor in the formula and the cost of free school meals is not passed to the school.
Member Scrutiny:
Paper 2: Funding for the residential element for Mounton House Special School
Key Issues:
The School Budget Forum agreed to review the formula every year and to look at potential changes to ensure the formula remains up to date and to ensure that it continues to distribute funding in the fairest way.
Following a meeting of the School Budget Funding Forum on 16th November 2015, members agreed to consult on the funding formula for Mounton House Special School.
The current formula provides funding for the residential capacity of the school. The current placement funding is 42. Currently there are 10 residents in the school, but this number will fluctuate slightly from this during the year.
The funding formula for Mounton House was reviewed in 2010 and at this point there were more residential pupils on roll. From 2010 the number of residential pupils have reduced, however the formula has not been adjusted to reflect this decline.
Member scrutiny:
Recommendations:
The committee scrutinised the proposed changes.
Committee’s Conclusion:
Chair’s Summary:
The Committee thanked the finance officer for presenting the report.
Whilst the committee unanimously supported part one of the report, significant concerns were raised regarding Mounton House School and it was resolved that support for this aspect would not be conveyed.
Further information was required regarding the Mounton House aspect of the report and this was subject to a further review.
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Supporting documents: