Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Paul Russell and Wioletta Bura who had recently been elected to the Forum as Early Years PVI representatives.

Apologies were received from Jo Jhally, Raphael Moss, Tim Jones, Paul Russell and Lesley Benson. Lesley Benson was substituted by Nisha Lingam.

None.

None.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 January 2021 as a correct record.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 January 2021 as a correct record.

To consider any actions arising from previous meetings.

Action 72: DSG contribution to central services and CAFAI projects funding – An update would be given under item 6 – Dedicated Schools Grant Monitoring Report 2020/21 to be considered later in the agenda. 

Actions 73, 74 and 75: Specialist Nursery Panel – An update would be given at the next meeting of the Schools Forum.

Action 76: Action to mitigate the HNB deficit – An update would be given under item 8 – Dedicated Schools Grant High Needs Block Deficit Management Plan to be considered later in the agenda.

To receive a report on the forecast financial position for 2020/21. The position is reported against the budget set in consultation with the Schools Forum and submitted to the Department for Education on the Section 251 budget return.

OlufunkeAdediran, Head of Finance at Brent Council, introduced the report on the financial forecast position 2020/21. The position was reported against the budget set in consultation with the Schools Forum and submitted to the Department for Education on the Section 251 budget return.

The Forum was then invited to raise questions on the report, which focused on a number of key areas as highlighted below:

·         It was explained that there was an error in the report which stated that mainstream top-up funding (inclusion) had been paid by the local authority to non-maintained schools half-termly. Mainstream top-up funding (inclusion)was in fact paid to maintained schools half-termly.

·         In response to a question regarding the forecasted overspends in  the Speech and Language Therapy service and the Education Psychology service budgets, members were assured that officers would be looking to address the overspend in the next financial year.

·         Estimates had been given within the report of disbursements to support schools. It was explained, however, that the full cost of these could not be determined until the end of the financial year.

·         Members expressed concern over the rate at which the High Needs Block deficit was growing. It was explained the growth in the number of EHCPs had been more than expected this year and that the effect of the pandemic on future demand was still unclear. Officers recognised the significant level of increase and were keen to look ahead to be on top of current spend and to ensure financial impacts be addressed quickly.

·         In response to a question regarding CAFAI funding, it was noted that a review into the CAFAI process was underway and all secondary leaders would be contacted as part of the review. 

RESOLVED to note the contents of the report.

To receive a report on the detailed High Needs Block budget for adoption in 2021/22.

OlufunkeAdediran, Head of Finance at Brent Council, introduced the report on the detailed High Needs Block budget for adoption in 2021/22.

The Forum was then invited to raise questions on the report, which focused on a number of key areas as highlighted below:

·         It was noted that three different budget options were presented to the High Needs Budget Sub-Group on 11 February. Whilst referenced in the report, these options would be discussed in further detail under item 9 of the agenda.

·         In response to a question regarding lobbying for additional SEN funding, members were assured that the issue of SEN funding was taken very seriously at both regional and national levels. Some of the lobbying was taking place through the Society of London Treasurers, which was currently looking to form a response to the High Needs Block National Funding Formula consultation. Other forms of lobbying were being undertaken through the Local Government Association and London Councils.

RESOLVED to note the contents of the report.

To receive a report on the High Needs Block Deficit Recovery Management Plan including the timelines of the key strategies to mitigate the deficit.

Sharon Buckby, Head of Inclusion and Brent Virtual School at Brent Council, introduced the report on the High Needs Block Deficit Recovery Management Plan, including the timelines of the key strategies to mitigate the deficit.

The Forum was then invited to raise questions on the report, which focused on a number of key areas as highlighted below:

·         Members noted the concerns raised by schools within the Kingsbury cluster which included: the need for appropriate funding relevant to the individual needs of the child, the appropriateness of funding for SEND children with complex needs within mainstream schools, concerns that children who need EHCPs were being denied them because of funding issues and the cost-effectiveness of ARPs when extra staffing and expertise are considered. Members were assured that the views of schools and providers within the borough would be integrated into the approach.

·         In relation to actions being taken to expand the range of local placements for children with SEND and reduce the need for high-cost independent sector placements, it was noted that the ambition was to develop the capacity of schools to support pupils with SEND thereby reducing out of borough mainstream, special and INMSS spend by at least £1m by 2023/24.

·         It was noted that the Graduated Approach Framework would be focused on the skills of staff and how these can be developed. SEN support would take the form of a four-part cycle through in which earlier decisions and actions would be revisited, refined and revised with a growing understanding of the pupil’s needs and of what supports the pupil in making good progress and securing good outcomes.

·         Members were assured that a monitoring report on the progress of the High Needs Block Deficit Recovery Management Plan would be provided to the Forum on a quarterly basis.

·         In response to a question regarding reviewing additional resource provision (ARP) in special schools, members were assured that officers were pursuing the most effective ARP model going forward. It was noted, however, that the Forum did not have the power to review of the budget of any individual academy trust. It was explained that the additional special school expenditure was largely due to the increase in pupil intake.

It was RESOLVED:

(1).        To note the timelines of the key strategies.

(2).        That a breakdown of the costings for the key strategies to mitigate the High Needs Block Deficit be provided at the next meeting of the Forum. (Action 77: Olufunke Adediran and Sharon Buckby)

To receive on the proposed Banding options following a Banding review process and informs Forum about the Graduated Approach Framework to be implemented.

Sharon Buckby, Head of Inclusion and Brent Virtual School at Brent Council, introduced the report on the proposed Banding options following a Banding review process and the Graduated Approach Framework to be implemented.

The Forum was then invited to raise questions on the report, which focused on a number of key areas as highlighted below:

·         It was explained that three options had been considered in the Banding review. It was noted that Option 1 would retain the current Bandings but include an inflationary uplift of 1.4%, Option 2 would adopt an additional Band for SEN support criteria for mainstream schools and Option 3 would adopt a Banding allocation for special schools increased in line with benchmarked neighbours. Officers recommended endorsing Options 2 and 3.

·         Concerns were raised over the lack of additional support for mainstream schools if the Forum were to endorse Options 3, despite comparatively low balances. It was also noted that it would increase the recurrent overspend on the High Needs Block. Members were assured that each option sought to increase support for both special and mainstream schools. It was recognised that more assurance could be provided to address concerns around the allocation of resources.

·         Concerns were also raised over the benchmarking process and the difficulty in comparing the Bandings of neighbouring boroughs. It was noted that a review of Bandings applied by neighbouring authorities had demonstrated that funding for mainstream schools were comparatively higher in Brent. Allocations for ARPs were mid-range and funding for special schools was lower in Brent than in neighbouring authorities.

·         Members were assured that, if they were minded to defer a decision on the Banding options until further assurances were received at the next meeting of the Forum, there would be no delays to the arrangement of provision. The process for setting charges for out of borough placements, for example, would continue as normal.

Having noted the comments provided, it was RESOLVED:

(1).        To note the contents of the report.

(2).        To note the implementation of the Brent Graduated Approach Framework.

(3).        That further information on value for money considerations and resource allocation under the Banding Review be provided at the next meeting of the Forum. (Action 78: Olufunke Adediran and Sharon Buckby)

(4).        That further information on the Brent Graduated Approach Framework be provided at the next meeting of the Forum. (Action 79: Olufunke Adediran and Sharon Buckby)

(5).        That further information on time limited EHCPs be provided at the next meeting of the Forum. (Action 80: Olufunke Adediran and Sharon Buckby)

To note the provisional schedule of dates for future meetings during 2021/22, as follows:

·         Thursday 17 June 2021 at 6pm

·         Thursday 4 November 2021 at 6pm

·         Thursday 9 December 2021 at 6pm (additional date if required)

·         Thursday 20 January 2022 at 6pm

·         Thursday 24 February 2022 at 6pm

At this stage, all meetings are scheduled to be held as online virtual meetings.

The Forum noted the provisional schedule of dates for future meeting during the 2021/22 municipal years as follows:

·         Thursday 17 June 2021 at 6pm

·         Thursday 4 November 2021 at 6pm

·         Thursday 9 December 2021 at 6pm (additional date if required)

·         Thursday 20 January 2022 at 6pm

·         Thursday 24 February 2022 at 6pm

It was noted that dates were subject to change and would not be confirmed until the Annual Full Council meeting.

None.