Minutes:
A verbal update was given that related to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations that were received by the Local Authority on the 16th December 2022 and covered the Schools Block, Central Block, High Needs Block and the Early Years Block.
Schools Block
It was reported that there had been a national funding increase of 5.6% per pupil. This included an additional grant, which would be received separately to the main formula allocation. The rates that were within the main formula allocation had been confirmed to be the same as the provisional allocation released in the Summer of 22. This represented a 2.4% rise for all Factors, except for Deprivation Factors, which had increased by 4.3%. This included the rolling in of the Supplementary Grant of £17m which was received in 2022/23. For 2023/24 the Government had announced an additional grant of £21m for Staffordshire which would be paid to schools in May 2023. Combined with the main formula allocation, the per pupil increase in Staffordshire was 5.6%, which was in line with the national average. The additional grants would be passed on in full, in line with the Government per school allocations.
The Local Authority awaited a decision from the Secretary of State on the 0.5% block transfer request, which was expected in early February 23, although this date had not been confirmed. Working on the basis that the decision was received in time budgets would be available with schools by the 28 February 23.
In response to a question relating to the potentially short timeframe between receiving the decision from the Secretary of State and allocating budgets to schools, it was suggested that it was not anticipated that the Department for Education (DfE) would put the Local Authority in a position where it would breach the Statutory Deadline of the 28 February 23. It was explained that it was possible to make amendments to the budget allocations quickly once the decision had been received, however, it was acknowledged that there may be an impact on the detail included in the budget documents that accompany the allocation. The Local Authority would ensure Schools were kept up to date with any potential delays via the School Bag communication channel.
Early Years Block
Early Years Block would receive an additional £20m funding on top of £180m of funding in 2023/24 already announced. Local Authorities received average funding increases of 3.4% for 3 and 4 year old entitlements and 4% for 2 year old entitlements. The £20m increase resulted in an extra 1p increase for the 2 year old and 3 and 4 year old rates. As a result of the additional funding the 2 year old rate increased to £5.77 per child per hour – an increase of 3.6%, and the 3 and 4 year old rate increased to £4.87 per child per hour – an increase of 5.6%.
As requested at the Schools Forum meeting held on 10 November 22 a workshop had been arranged to take place on the 24th January 23 with Early Years providers to discuss how this funding was passed on.
Central Block
The allocation for the Central Block was £5.4m which was made up of the historical commitments of £1.3m, along with duties of £4.1m. This demonstrated a £36k increase and was in line with what had been predicted at School Forum in November 22.
Resolved: That the Verbal update on School Budgets 2023/2024, be noted.