Management Information Sheet

Fair Funding Consultation outcome and funding changes for 2020-21

MI Sheet TypeFeedback
MI Number:16/20
Publication Date:17/01/2020 12:00:00
LA Contact:Martin Brock (01603 223800)
Audience:Headteachers and Governing Bodies

Fair Funding Consultation outcome and funding changes for 2020-21

Thank you to all the schools and governors that took the time to complete the Fair Funding consultation online survey.

The Local Authority received 86 completed responses via the survey, 69 of the responses were from primary schools (including infant and junior), 10 from secondary, 0 from special schools and the remaining 7 were recorded as 'Other/Diocesan Board'.

The overall ranking of the options following consultation was as follows

Option Overall Rank Votes
Option 1 - Implementation of the NFF unit rates and methodologies, with a 0.5% transfer to the High Needs Block, plus a further £2.5m Joint 2nd 8
Option 2 - Implementation of NFF unit rates and methodologies, with a 0.5% transfer to the High Needs Block Joint 2nd 8
Option 3 - Implementation of the NFF unit rates and methodologies 1st 70

There was a stronger preference for Option 3, implementing the National Funding Formula unit rates and methodologies without the transfer of any funding from the Schools Block to High Needs Block.

The findings of the Fair Funding consultation, and a summary of the comments, were taken to Schools Forum on 22 November 2019 for discussion. A copy of the Forum papers can be viewed at: www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk/Finance/Norfolk-schools-forum/Agendas-and-Papers/NCC185829

Due to the continuing pressures within the High Needs Block it was agreed by Schools Forum that a 0.5% transfer of funding from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block (Option 2 of the consultation) would help to support the system as a whole. The Chair of Schools Forum has made a statement explaining the difficult decision made by Schools Forum, below.

"At our Schools' Forum meeting on 22 November, we took the decision to transfer 0.5% from the schools' budgets to the High Needs Block. This was a very difficult decision for us to make, going against the majority of school leaders who responded to the Consultation and adding to the significant financial pressure schools find themselves under. The Consultation responses from schools and academies supported no transfer of money from schools' budgets to the High Needs Block by a significant majority. Comments made in response to the Consultation reflected the significant financial pressures facing many schools as well as the, at present, limitations in the systems for funding to support SEND children in mainstream settings. Despite the additional funding coming in to schools for the next financial year, our first-hand experience and that of our school leader colleagues is that we face significant ongoing financial pressures.

Given this context, our decision to support the 0.5% transfer was made to ensure the plan for financial recovery stays on track and to ensure the success of the SEND transformation programme. This programme is the means by which we will improve the support for our most vulnerable children through extending specialist provision, ensuring provision is there for the right children and for supporting mainstream schools to meet ever more complex needs in their settings. The pressures of these needs not being met is felt by school leaders and individual teachers; it has a direct impact on teacher well-being and the retention of experienced staff as well as on the recruitment of new teachers.

A key issue for school leaders is that, whilst fully supporting the SEND transformation agenda, the changes this will bring are not here now but continuing financial pressures are. We have worked in times of uncertainty for a long while but the level of uncertainty, politically and financially, is greater than ever.

As Chair of Schools' Forum, I was proud and impressed by the collective level of understanding of these issues and our desire to see the 'bigger picture' - the long term commitment to improving the system for SEND children which will improve the system for all children. This was a very difficult decision for us to make as we also are acutely aware of the impact funding pressures is having on headteachers, CEOs and Governors." (Sarah Shirras, Chair of Schools Forum)

The decision was confirmed at Cabinet on 13 January 2020.

Please note that the technical papers that were provided during the consultation process were based on historical pupil numbers and that the budget for 2020/21 will be based on October 2019 census numbers. School budget shares will be published and available for viewing at www.csapps.norfolk.gov.uk/BudgetShare by 28 February 2020.