Recommendation(s)

That: The local implementation of the National Funding Formula (NFF) for 2020/21 as set out in the consultation document and below, be approved as follows;

(a)       The final school funding values be agreed, subject to a minimum total funding per pupil of £3,750 for primary schools and £5,000 for secondary schools, including the Minimum Funding Guarantee at 1.84% and the adoption of the mobility factor, as follows:

(b)       The options as supported in the schools’ consultation paper be agreed at a cost of £317k, as follows;

(i)            Growth funding be finalised for basic need expansion at Kingstone High School, £117k for an estimated additional 50 pupils in September 2020

(ii)          Noting the transfer to the high needs block for primary SEN protection, £100k as agreed by Schools Forum

(iii)         Noting the transfer to the high needs block for secondary SEN protection, £100k as agreed by Schools Forum

(c)  the balance of funding, £303k is allocated as follows

(i)            Noting the additional transfer of £100k to the high needs block to fund additional SEN activities in order to potentially reduce future demand on the high needs budget as agreed by Schools Forum;

(ii)          Additional £20 per pupil for primary and secondary schools at a cost of £203,000

(d)  That any minor adjustments to the schools budget up to £5k, in order to comply with DfE submission requirements, be made to the funding allocated to the growth fund as set out in (b)(i) above.

(e)  Notes the growth fund policy and criteria for allocating to schools as set out in the schools consultation paper as agreed by Schools Forum.

(f)   That the central services block be allocated as follows

(i)            Statutory retained duties £360k;

(ii)          Schools Forum administration costs £12k;

(iii)         School admission costs £122k;

(iv)         National licences for schools £138.5k;

(v)          Transfer to the high needs block £60.5k.

(g)  The early years funding formula for Herefordshire providers from April 2020 be as follows;

(i)            Two year olds: £5.28 per hour

(ii)          Three and four year olds: £3.97 per hour + £0.33 per Early Years Pupil Premium elgible children + a rurality supplement per provider of £51 per week (pro-rata for providers that deliver less than 100 hours per week) paid for 38 weeks per year

(iii)          Early years central expenditure be increased in line with the DfE’s inflation allowance of 1.8% to £341k for early consultants and NEF payment costs for 2020/21.