Agenda item

NB outlined the timetable for agreeing the Schools Block allocation for 2023/24. The APT (authority proforma tool) was expected to be released before Christmas with confirmed figures for numbers on roll and the resulting final DSG allocation. After the Christmas break there would be a meeting with the 5-16 task Group to finalise options around funding.  Final proposals for the growth fund, early years and schools block funding would then be presented to Forum for at the meeting on 12th January, with recommendations informing the Cabinet decision on 16th January.

The LA has a statutory duty to provide mainstream schools with their budgets allocations for 2023/24 by the end of February, together with indicative budgets for 2024/25 and 2025/26. The last stage in the process would be the LA proposals on the  Central Services School block, which would come to Forum for approval in March.

The Chair thanked NB for the clarity this paper provided, and it was helpful to understand the impact of tight deadlines imposed by DfE.  There were no further questions or comments from Forum members.