Apologies were received from Dan Brearey, Nicki Emmett, Georgie Griffin, Andy Gosling, Tim Knapp and Sheila Taylor.

Lynn Johnson was present as a substitute for Andy Gosling.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

Mr Deneen declared an interest in item 5 on the agenda as representative of the trade union.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2024.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The clerk confirmed that all actions arising from the meeting had been completed and would recirculate to all members.

To approve school forum’s recommended budget proposals for school budgets, central school services and early years within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2025/26.

The Senior Finance Business Partner (SFBP) presented the report and outlined the proposed schools budget based on the confirmed Dedicated Schools Grant allocation from the Department for Education (DfE). A copy of the slides used in the presentation are attached to the minutes of the meeting. The principal points included:

·       The authority proforma tool (APT) & final allocations for the school’s block, High Needs Block, and Central block had been published on 18^th December 2024.

·       The Dedicated Schools Grant funding for the school’s block in 2025/26 is £138.2m which is an increase of 2.36% per pupil.

·       The October Census showed a decrease in pupil numbers for primary and secondary schools which tightens funding and adds to the compromises required to fund the schools to high needs block transfer.

25/26 Schools Block

·       Funding through mainstream schools national funding formula (NFF) is increasing by 2.36% per pupil in 2025-26. However, it was noted that in 2025/26, 1.28% of the 2.36% increase is for the core schools budget grant (CSBG) uplift which ensures that the 2024 teachers and support staff pay awards continue to be fully funded at national level in 2025 to 2026. Growth excluding CSBG uplift therefore is only 1.08% meaning compromises would have to be made in the schools’ block in 25/26 this year to fund the schools to high needs block transfer.

·       The drop in pupil numbers year on year also adds to the compromises required to fund the schools to high needs block transfer.

·       A minimum funding guarantee of 0% year on year has been applied, the maximum from the range -0.5%-0% given by the DfE for 2025-26.

·       The maximum allowed school block transfer process to fund the SEN Protection Scheme of 0.5% was proposed.

SEN Protection scheme

·       The scheme had been hugely supported by schools in the past and without it would have a significant impact on the most inclusive schools.

·       Without the scheme the impact on the most inclusive schools will be significant.

Dedelegations & Education function costs

·       It was proposed a 2.36% increase (year on year funding/pupil increase) to existing de-delegation items and Education Function costs were applied.

25/26 Central Block

·       The central block is increasing year on year by 0.8%:

·       For 2025/26, the central block is increasing from £851,810 (2024-25 rebasing for additional grant: £926,185) to £933,855 in 2025-26.

·       The SFBP took the forum though how the funding would be distributed, with the main change year on year being the increase in the allocation to the high needs block to aid with the high needs block deficit.

25/26 High Needs Block

·       The High Needs Block funding for 2025/26 is increasing to £28.9m, a year-on-year increase of 7.6%.

·       As of 31^st March 2024, the cumulative high needs budget deficit for Herefordshire Council was £6.1m. During 2024/25 the High needs budget had been monitored by close collaboration between service and finance departments in the Council, and as at Quarter 2 the full year deficit is forecast to be £7.6m which would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Friday 14 March 2025.

Friday 14 March 2025. 9:30am.