Agenda item

The Cabinet considered its response to the Fair Funding consultation for 2018-19 and 2019-20 and the local schools funding formula for Worcestershire Mainstream Schools for 2018-19 and 2019-20.  The details were set out in the report.

In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were made:

·       The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills introduced the report and confirmed that all 226 mainstream Schools in Worcestershire had been consulted.  The Worcestershire education system was very diverse with two and three tiers and transfers at different ages. The diverse system made it difficult to have one formula that would suit all schools but Worcestershire had always felt it best to have a local formula. The Government had finally agreed to implement a national funding formula, although as the primary legislation was not in place for a national formula the formula would still be a Worcestershire one, but using national formula figures. The final figures were not yet known but should be available before Christmas

·       Indicative figures suggest there would be around £7million additional funding for schools next year with a further £4million being made available in 2019/20 which overall was good news for schools

·       42% of schools responded to the consultation with a range of responses. A third of primary schools and all secondary schools supported option 2.  The majority view of Schools Forum Members also supported option 2 and that would be put forward as the preferred option for Worcestershire

·       Whichever option was taken up there would be a funding increase of at least 0.5% per pupil

·       Cabinet members acknowledged that schools funding was a complicated issue but they supported a national formula, especially as there was a minimum funding guarantee. However, the fight would continue for improved funding for Worcestershire

·       Cabinet supported small rural schools which were important to the community and if they closed the cost of school transport would be greatly increased

·       A member from outside the Cabinet wished for more details on the effect a funding formula would have on small schools and wondered if there was a way for small schools to use the money which was not being used to transport pupils to larger schools

·       The Cabinet Member for Adult Services cautioned that local fixes should not be used to try to fix a funding formula. A national funding formula should be implemented across the board

·       Overall funding was increasing which was a win for Worcestershire and option 2 would provide the most benefit. Lobbying for fairer funding would continue.

RESOLVED: that

(a)            Cabinet had regard to the consultation undertaken between 17 October and 24 November 2017;

(b)            the consultation feedback in Appendices 2, 3, 4 and 5 to the report be noted;

(c)            the involvement of the Worcestershire Schools Forum members and schools during the consultation be noted;

(d)            the views of the Worcestershire Schools Forum on the Local Schools Funding Formula issues for 2018-19 and 2019-20 and other matters which are outlined in Appendix 6 to the report be noted;

(e)            approval be given for the Local Schools Funding Formula for Worcestershire mainstream schools from April 2018 to apply for 2018-19 and 2019-20 to be consultation Option 2 based as far as is practicable and affordable upon the National Funding Formula parameters and other matters as detailed in paragraphs 32 to 42 of the report be approved having regard to the consultation feedback from schools detailed in Appendix 3, 4 and 5 to the report and views of the Worcestershire Schools Forum in Appendix 6 to the report; and

(f)              the Director of Children, Families and Communities be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Skills, to make the required submission to the national executive body, the Education and Skills Funding Agency, by 19 January 2018 for the approved Local Schools Funding Formula for 2018-19 taking account of any impact and change on the approved units of resource, Minimum Funding Guarantee and capping arrangements in paragraph 34  of the report as a consequence of the October 2017 census and other 2017 data changes and the final 2018-19 Dedicated School Grant and similarly for 2019-20 when the timescales are known.