Agenda item

Steve Muldoon presented the main points of the provisional annual report on the 2021-22 DSG.  The report remained provisional at this stage as some school census information required confirmation.

Steve Muldoon pointed out the cumulative deficit of £20.6 million in April 2021, with a further £4.8 million through the year to then arrive at a £25.5 million deficit by March 2022.  The predominant driver of the continued increases in the deficits is the High Needs block.  In parallel with this is the DSG management plan which is being reviewed and discussed prior to an imminent submission to DLUHC

Forum members’ attention was drawn to the detail in the report regarding the variances between budgeted and actual for each of these school blocks.  This included the drivers for the overspend in the high needs block, for example, an overspend of £1.1 million on independent special places, is the area that is of main concern.

The report also showed projected maintained school balances;  these were generally, with just a small number of schools carrying forward a deficit at the end of the year.  Steve Muldoon reminded Forum members that schools in deficit should have a three year recovery plan agreed with the Council which sets out the school’s plans to return to a surplus position. The three schools concerned did improve their position within the year and the LA will continue to work with them to make sure that this continues and they return to a surplus position.

The Chair thanked Steve Muldoon for the detailed report and asked for questions or comments on the DSG position as outlined in that report, noting that Forum had been kept well informed of the DSG position throughout the year.

Jamie Rockman observed that there is a large positive surplus in relation to post 16 learners and asked whether that is special or mainstream, and asked whether there was any adverse impact on the learners with SEND. The Chair advised that this should be taken away as a question for the LA to address and provide some more information.

There were no further questions.