Portsmouth City Borough Council Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education Meeting

There were no apologies.

Councillor Horton declared a non-prejudicial interest in that she is Vice-Chair of Governors at Craneswater Junior School.  Councillor Tom Coles declared a non-prejudicial interest in that he is a member of the Penbridge Academy Board.

The report was introduced by Angela Mann, Finance Manager, who informed members that it follows previous reports and that officers were seeking the endorsement of the final stage submission to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (EFSA) of the 2023-24 mainstream school revenue funding pro-forma for the Primary and Secondary Phases. She explained that this needed to be achieved by 20 January 2023 and that the High Needs will be presented at the next meeting.  The report also sets out the progress towards the initial determination of the schools budget (including individual schools budgets for 2023-24) and to seek the necessary approvals and endorsements required to achieve this.

The Cabinet Member noted that Portsmouth's early move to the funding formula had, on balance, served local schools well. She commented that she did not however underestimate the very challenging times being faced by schools.   

Councillor Tom Coles commented that schools were working hard to respond to the difficult times they are facing. 

DECISIONS - That the Cabinet Member:

1.   Approved the proposed changes to the mainstream schools revenue funding arrangements as set out in Section 5 and Appendix 2.

2.   Approved the school revenue funding pro-forma at Appendix 3 for submission to the ESFA on 20 January 2023.

3.   Approved the use of the carry forward on the Schools Specific Contingency for the same purpose in 2023-24 as set out in Section 6 of the report.

4.   Approved the de-delegated unit values in relation to the School Improvement, monitoring and Brokerage Grant of £10.42 for each Primary pupil and £10.42 for each secondary pupil.

5.   Approved the budget to be held centrally for the payment of central licences negotiated nationally for all schools by the Secretary of State.

6.   Approved the use of the 2022-23 underspend on the Growth Fund for use for the same purpose in 2023-24.

7.   Endorsed the Growth Fund:

•     Budget for 2023-24 as set out in Appendix 1

•     Criteria for 2023-24 as set out in Appendix 4

8.   Endorsed the budgets to be held centrally specifically as set out in Appendix 1 of the report:

•     Schools Forum

•     Admissions

•     Duties retained by the local authority for all schools

9.   Approved the Early Years Funding Formula for two, three and four year olds as set out in section 8, Table 5, and Appendix 1 of the report.

10.Approved the Place numbers for Special Schools, Inclusion Centres and Alternative Provision Settings as set out in Section 9 and Appendix 6 of the report.

The Cabinet Member thanked officers and the Portsmouth Schools Forum for the challenge and support they provide.