Agenda and minutes

The Forum received a report from the Executive Director of People First and the Executive Director of Business Connection, which was presented by Education Financial Services Manager, the People First Director of Strategy and the Interim Director of Education. The report focused upon the proposed Schools’ Budget for 2004/05.

Members were informed of the changes to the budget from last year and the implications of those on the forthcoming year’s budget.  It was also highlighted that the Council had to notify the Secretary of State by 31 December 2003 of Harrow’s proposed Schools’ Budget 2004/05.  It was also mentioned that the Secretary of State had the reserve power to set a minimum level of Schools’ Budget if the Local Education Authority figure was considered to be inadequate.

Officers reminded Members that from April 2003, the Government had introduced a new funding regime for Education, which split the Education Formula Spending Share (EFSS) into two elements. One of the two elements was the Schools’ Budget, which included the Individual Schools Budget (ISB) and budgets for early years, admissions, education out of school and provision of places for pupils with Special Education Needs (SEN).  The second element was the LEA formula spending share that provided funding for statutory functions of the LEA.

Officers indicated that Harrow’s Schools’ Budget for 2004/05 was £103.77m, and this was an increase of £6.311m compared with 2003/04, and was an increase in SFSS of 6.54%.  It was emphasised that within the proposed Schools’ Budget, there was enough leverage to meet the: base budget, policy and legislative changes, as well as demographic and other growth costs, which provided an additional £5.8m.  However, in context of inflationary pressures the figure was reduced to £2.9m, taking into account the deductions for teachers’ pay-awards of 2.5%, non teachers’ pay-awards of 3%, Local Government superannuation increase of 1% and other prices at 2.8%. In comparison to last year’s budget 2003/04, there had been a total increase of £5.175m for the ISB; a 6% increase.  It was stated that out of the £2.9m, further costs would need to be considered in relation to underfunding issues relating to 2003/2004, remodelling the school workforce, the movement of teachers from UPS2 to 3 and other salary pressures over and above inflation.

Officers also mentioned that the Authority was required to implement a Minimum Funding Guarantee as determined by the Government which would deliver a 4% increase to schools whose pupil numbers remained the same between years. Officers advised Members that, the funding formula within Harrow with a 6% increase should in the majority of cases deliver additional resources over and above the 4% minimum guarantee, but this could not be confirmed until January 2004 when pupil numbers at each school was known. 

It was also highlighted that it would be possible to give financial support for schools in difficulty over and above the minimum guarantee from within the increase in SFSS. The Schools Forum had considered this briefly and would be looking at this matter again,  ...  view the full minutes text for item

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance of the following duly constituted Reserve Members:

To receive declarations of interest (if any) from Members of the Forum arising from business to be transacted at this meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to the business transacted at this meeting.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That all items in order on the agenda be considered with the press and public present.

That the signing of the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2003 be deferred until the next ordinary meeting of the Education Consultative Forum.

RESOLVED:  That the signing of the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2003 be deferred until the next ordinary meeting of the Education Consultative Forum.

To confirm the appointment of Mr Neil Rands as a Governor of the Education Consultative Forum.

RESOLVED: That Members confirmed the appointment of Mr N Rands as Elected Governor Member of the Forum.