Agenda item

The Chair thanked Mark McCurrie for his comprehensive report.

Mark McCurrie confirmed the report was very detailed in order to ensure the LA was meeting the conditions attached to the DSG grant: he outlined the background, explaining the previous single DSG Recovery Plan had been changed to the DSG Deficit Management Plan (the Plan) for this and future years. The ESFA expected the Plan to be a ‘live’ document, with the main focus being the strategies put in place to reduce the High Needs deficit.  Further strategies would be introduced and narratives updated, allowing progress to be tracked in the information made available to key stake holders. 

The Plan contained information by specific areas, allowing access to spending breakdowns by sector and enabling a view of pressure points. The Plan already contained financial details and, with the inclusion of new internal financial systems, there would be more alignment with financial information.

It was pointed out that the LA’s deficit was reasonably large in comparison to some others LAs and the ESFA acknowledged that repayment would take time. 

10.25am: Kathy Perry left the meeting

Members noted that the Plan had been included as the appendix for this item and apologies were extended as the type was small in some sections.  A number of critical points were drawn to the attention of Schools Forum:

A number of assumptions had been made, with the HNB being the main focus: these had been discussed with the Task Group. The version presented (1.3) demonstrated the current position and if no further changes were made, these would be the forecasts for some years to come. Transfer requests between blocks of up to 0.5% had been included.  The Plan was a useful tool and gave focus to the sectors factoring into High Needs.  Over time it would be possible to analyse mitigated against unmitigated risks in order to demonstrate savings.

Key Risks identified to date included:

: the number of maintained EHCPs, which continued to grow in Slough year on year, being a little higher than average above average growth rates;

: the shortage of local therapeutic support interventions both pre and post statutory;

: a lack of local specialist provision in resource bases and special schools, leading to pupils being placed in the independent sector. It was added that a proportionate use was now being seen in Slough.

There was an increase in the number of EHCPs being maintained where ASD was the primary lead and monitoring of this would continue.  Slough had a higher number of young people with speech and language needs which continued in those being granted an EHCP in the 20-25 year old group, although this was now leveling off.

It was stressed this was the current position and strategies were likely to change.

The Workforce Development Plan was being reviewed in order to promote inclusive practice to support schools. Analysis to show financial impact would be included in the Plan. The resource base review had been affected by the Covid-19 situation but it was anticipated the review could be closed in February. Any recommendations arising from the review would be included in the Plan.

A further approach was to review the SEN panel process to ensure decisions were legally binding and linked to the banding matrix.  Capital investment plans were also under review and would be linked to other streams and factored into the Plan.

EHCP figures were mapped against residential population figures. However, predications had been made on historical figures as the population figures focused on school age and not the EHCP 0-25 years age range. There was approximately 2.6% growth on average over the years but a year-on-year increase had been factored in.  Part of this work would be to establish why there was that growth above population growth.

It was noted that the mainstream factor had been assumed with an increased factor of 14% built in year on year, further to the recent review of the banding matrix. More work was to be undertaken to decrease that amount.

The 2022/23 HNB income settlement had used an 8% growth as opposed to the 11% income growth for 2021/22. Mark McCurrie explained it was considered prudent to plan on less income rather than more.

10.35am: Peter Collins left the meeting

The expenditure and income assumptions were highlighted, as there was an increase in both, with income increasing at a slightly higher rate than expenditure. It was noted this was shown in the table at 5.31 of the report.

A forecasted reduced deficit should be seen over the forthcoming years but the accumulative position would continue to grow.

Budgeting would continue on a more prudent basis but the main area of focus would be the mainstream sector due to the growth of EHCPs and pupil numbers. There had also been a big change in the financial reporting of costs for independent schools and Post-16.

In answer to a query it was noted that the Plan did not have to be submitted to the DfE but had to be made available. It would have to be published as part of the local offer and would be presented to Schools Forum termly. It was also likely the ESFA would request regular update meetings with the LA and would review Schools Forum papers.

No increase in expenditure was forecast but there had been an application for additional resource base places. The information made available concerning resource bases referred to place funding rather than overall expenditure; as the majority were academy resource bases this funding would come from the ESFA rather than the DSG. Top ups for resource bases were reported in the figures for mainstream, with top up funding as a whole included in the Plan but not place funding for academies.

It was understood there were possibly 32 other LAs undertaking this work but there had not been any collaborative work to date. It was confirmed that, going forward it would be useful for the LA to work with their neighbours.

In response to a question, Mark McCurrie explained he would aim to present a further version of the Plan to Schools Forum in March. However, as the resource base review had not been completed by Christmas as originally planned, it would be necessary to keep this under review and add it to the forward agenda plan.