Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from;

·         Andi Gilroy-Sinclair

·         Andrew Fell

·         Rebecca Smith

·         Julia Arechiga

·         Chris Jessup

·         Ian Rimmer

Minutes of the Schools Forum meeting held on 24th June 2022

The minutes of the above meeting were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

Matters arising from 24th June 2022 meeting

There were no matters arising.

Kirklees Education & Learning Partnership Board (standing item)

Verbal Update - Natalie McSheffrey & Board Members

The Kirklees Education & Learning Partnership Board had met on 4 November 2022. Natalie McSheffrey updated the meeting.

·         The External Review of the ELPB was discussed including updates on implementation and actions.

·         There is now a web page on Kirklees Business Solutions.

·         There is a membership review of the ELPB.

·         There will be an additional meeting on 7 December for Opportunities in Education in Kirklees in the future.

·         Committee updates were given including catering services.

·         There was an update on Plans, Access and Inclusion.

·         There were updates from Kirklees Secondary Heads and Special School Heads.

·         High Needs Block Engagement sessions were discussed.

·         There was an update on Kirklees Futures.

·         The next meeting of the ELPB will be 7 December 2022.

23-24 Funding consultation round - Central Schools Services Block, De-delegation arrangements, retained Early Years Block funding

The Chair confirmed that no discussion was required on this item.

High Needs Block Transfer 2023 – 24

Darren Christian

·         The High Needs Safety Valve commitment and requirement for an additional £2.1m High Needs Block Transfer for 2023/24 was summarised.

·         Darren Christian reported to the meeting

·         Two engagement sessions for schools have been held.

·         A Questionnaire has been sent out to all schools to get views.

·         Schools Forum representatives have gathered feedback.

·         The LA plan to meet £2.1m was summarised including the shortfall of £423k.

·         A consultation event was held to consider the options to fund the £423k shortfall.

·         The LA plan for the funding of the £1.67m was summarised.

·         The options to fund the £423k shortfall were summarised including

·         AWPU contribution – sharing of contribution in line with NFF.

·         Flat rate charge per pupil.

·         Share of school block funding based on 2022-23 allocations.

·         A questionnaire has been sent out to all schools and 37 responses have been received.

·         Of the responses, 20 schools agreed with the LA approach to funding the £1.67m, 15 schools did not agree and 2 responses did not answer.

·         For the funding of the £423k shortfall, 17 schools preferred the AWPU contribution, 13 preferred the per pupil charge and 5 preferred the share of school block funding.

·         The comments from schools about the £423k shortfall were summarised.

·         Schools Forum voted on the proposals and the  agreements are summarised below.

·         The LA approach to funding the £1.67m was agreed.

·         The option to fund the £423k shortfall via AWPU contribution was agreed.

·         It was noted that given the difficulty in funding the £2.1m for 2023/24 then the additional increase of £0.5m to £2.6m for 2024/25 will be a very serious funding problem for schools.

·         There needs to be early dialogue in relation to the 2024/25 funding.

·         More engagement sessions will be required with schools in the new year to give understanding of the impacts of the 5 year plan and provide opportunities for creativity.

·         There will be a comment from Schools Forum on the return about the serious funding issues for Kirklees schools.

RESOLVED: That the LA approach to the funding of the £1.67m be agreed for 2023/24 only.

RESOLVED: That funding the shortfall of £423k via the AWPU contribution (sharing contribution in line with NFF) be agreed for 2023/24 only.

ACTION: Schools Forum to communicate the current funding difficulties and expected ongoing funding difficulties to the LA and DfE

Any other business

There were no items of Any Other Business for discussion.

Confirm minutes

The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed.

Date and time of next meeting

Friday 3^rd March 2023 – Location TBC

·         Friday 3 March 2023– Public

The Chair thanked everyone for attending the meeting.