Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Debra Rutley, Annette Pryce, Atifa Sayani, Olwyn Davison-Oakley (Sharon James attended as substitute), Karen Collett (Justine Mitchener attended as substitute) and Katherine Douglas (Lorna Elkes attended as substitute).

There were no declarations of interest

DBS Charges Review

The responses to the questions raised about the DBS Charges Review would be requested for the March meeting.

Action: Emma Wilding/Sharon Griffin

Members of Schools Forum were advised that Aylesbury Vale Academy is a growing school; the school is full in the secondary phase and it is growing in the primary phase. 

Due to secondary pupils attracting a higher level of funding, the primary pupils will be protected under the minimum funding guarantee (MFG) at an artificially higher level of funding than they should be.

Members took a vote on applying the DfE MFG exemption, to address the situation described above.

In favour of applying disapplication and withdrawing protection: 13

Against: none

Abstain: 7

Members of Schools Forum discussed the reports and proposed models presented, during which the following comments were made and questions asked.

·         The key problem is there is no explanation with the reports which makes it difficult to give a view on the right way to proceed or not.

·         The proposals did not give the rationale why there is a fundamental shift in the policy of the local authority from last year which is to close the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers to a differing approach where little justification is given for the shift in money. Members of Schools Forum were advised that this shift would bring the local authority more in line with the national average.  The responses to the consultation show why Bucks is different from the national average. The concern is that if the discussion about the proposals goes ahead, the principle of the local authority to commit to closing the gap will be lost. There is still a large gap to be closed.

·         The understanding is the some secondary non selective academies were against the initial consultation and that this view remains. The question is should the process continue unless there is a driver?

·         The impact of the changes to IDACI has not been explained.  If there are adjustments to be made in light of IDACI changes, this is a very different process to the one current being undertaken. John Huskinson explained that the data set for IDACI was received from the Government after the consultation had closed. There has been a slight change in IDACI.  The Government Office for National Statistics (ONS) reset data for 2015 and the eligibility for certain benefits as part of the 2015-16 minimum funding levels. For a pupil who is both eligible for free school meals and lives in an IDACI band 1 to 6 area, the local authority will attract both the FSM and relevant IDACI band minimum funding levels. 15,000 children were in Bands 1-6.  This figure has reduced to 10,000.

·         Could the local authority not use the same formula as last year there would be £1.6m unallocated after the cost of protection which would need allocating. This was shown in model 2a. If the Government has not guaranteed the current £4305 per pupil funding in 2016/17, the authority would have lost funding.

·         Could a compensatory approach be taken if this is the effect of using the same formula as last year? There does not seem to be a starting point in the consultation and the supporting documents.

·         The changes were announced after the consultation had closed. Members of Schools Forum need to look at the formula and the consequences.

·         If the Funding Formula does not allow a number of schools to be economically viable, this needs to be looked at in more detail.

·         Economic viability is one issue; Ofsted outcomes are another.  The hard data about what constitutes need should be looked at.

·         Some schools only receive 90% of their funding from grants.  The remaining  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

None

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 15 March 2016, 2.00pm, Green Park, Aston Clinton.

Future meeting dates

3 May             27 September

21 June         29 November

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 15 March 2016, 2.30pm, Green Park, Aston Clinton.

Future meeting dates

3 May             27 September

21 June         29 November