Decision details

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

a)     note that the final Schools Budget for 2010-11 cannot be determined until the data from the January pupil count becomes available in late-February, but agree that the total Schools Budget for 2010-11 will equate to the total Dedicated Schools Grant provided to the Authority

b)     agree that, apart from matters referred to below, the method of distribution of the Schools Budget for 2010-11 be as agreed in March 2006

c)     agree a budget of £273k within the centrally retained part of the Schools Budget to be held temporarily as unallocated Individual Schools Budget (ISB) and distributed to fund six additional forms of entry within the Primary sector

d)     agree a budget of £87k within the centrally retained part of the Schools Budget to provide additional support for the Local Leaders in Education programme

e)     agree a budget of £40k within the centrally retained part of the Schools Budget to provide for a TYST Senior Practitioner Post

f)       agree a budget of £55k within the centrally retained part of the Schools Budget to provide for a Schools Procurement Officer

g)     note that the School Forum have agreed in principle to allow a breach of the Central Expenditure Limit that results from their support for items c to f above, amounting to £139k.  The breach will be less due to the subsequent distribution of the unallocated ISB and the natural growth in the centrally held element of the Schools Budget (the exact amount of the breach cannot be confirmed until the final Dedicated Schools Grant for 2010-11 is received in May 2010);

h)     agree to adjust the KS1 Infant Class Size Factor to reflect the authorities change to a single intake of Reception aged pupils

i)        agree to increase the Special schools sector budget by £700k, which is to be targeted towards the development of a cost effective outreach service

j)       note the School Forum’s views as contained in the attached minutes.

k)     note that the implementation of an Early Years Single Funding Formula expected in 2010/11 has be postponed until 2011/12.

Reasons for decision

As the decision making body for school funding issues, Cabinet agreed the arrangements to allow draft budgets to be provided to schools by early March 2010 and to ensure that indicative and final 2010-11 budgets and indicative budgets for 2011-12 for schools were in place and published as soon as practical and certainly no later than 31st March 2010. Cabinet noted that the Council had consulted schools and the School Forum on a range of financial matters prior to making its decision.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have not agreed some or all of the proposals for increased centrally retained expenditure, contrary to the School Forum’s advice.  However, this would have limited the Council’s ability to further strengthen key areas of the Hillingdon Children’s and Families Plan.

Officer to action:

Amar Barot, Education & Children’s Services