Management Information Sheet
Fair Funding Consultation outcome and funding changes for 2021-22
Thank you to all the Headteachers, governors, and other stakeholders that completed the 2021-22 Fair Funding consultation online survey.
The Local Authority received 23 responses to the online survey. Of these responses:
- 17 were from individual schools within the Primary sector
- 1 was from a Secondary School
- 2 were from federations representing multiple Infant/Junior/Primary Schools
- 3 were from academy trusts representing multiple academies
A total of 49 schools were represented within the responses, however only 48 schools were represented in the rankings of the options (as one school did not rank the options).
The overall ranking of the options following consultation was as follows
| Option | Overall Rank | Weighted Score* |
|---|---|---|
| Option 1 - Implementation of DfE’s National Funding Formula unit rates and methodologies, with a transfer of £7.828m of Schools Block (0.5% plus a further 1% to High Needs Block). Minimum Funding Guarantee estimated at +0.75% and an estimated funding cap of +0.76%. | 3rd | 58 |
| Option 2 - Implementation of DfE’s National Funding Formula unit rates and methodologies, with a transfer of £2.609m of Schools Block (0.5%) to High Needs Block. Minimum Funding Guarantee estimated at +1.73% but there would be no need for a funding cap on gaining schools. | 2nd | 109 |
| Option 3 - Implementation of DfE’s National Funding Formula unit rates and methodologies, no transfer from Schools Block to High Needs Block. Minimum Funding Guarantee estimated +2% and there would be no need for a funding cap on gaining schools. Estimated that an increase of +1.07% above the NFF Basic Entitlement factor values may be possible. | 1st | 121 |
*Weighted scores are explained within the 13 November 2020 Schools Forum report.
The consultation did not receive the level of response that has been seen in previous years and, given the pressures and uncertainties facing school leaders, this is not necessarily a surprise. However, of those that did respond, there was a preference (based upon the number of schools represented) for option 3 (no block transfer), with option 2 (0.5% block transfer) as second choice.
The LA recognises the pressures on schools’ budgets and the desire of schools to receive the maximum funding possible directly into their budgets via the funding formula, and that maximising funding in schools may support increased inclusivity and reduced escalation of needs. However, the LA must weigh this up against the current and forecast levels of DSG deficit and be responsible in considering how the current and forecast DSG deficit can be repaid from within the DSG in future years, as required by the regulations.
The LA also recognises the difficulty that this situation presented to Schools Forum members in recommending an option for the 2021-22 funding formula. Schools Forum members were asked to take into account the views of schools’ responses from the consultation, but also to consider the wider landscape of the DSG in making their recommendation to the LA.
The findings of the Fair Funding consultation, and a summary of the comments, were taken to Schools Forum on 13 November 2020 for discussion. A copy of the Forum papers and minutes can be viewed at: Norfolk Schools Forum agendas and papers - Schools
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. This option still provides funding increases via the funding formula for all mainstream schools in the 2021-22 financial year when based on like for like (October 2019 census) data, with a final calculated Minimum Funding Guarantee of +1.66% per-pupil.
The decision was confirmed at Cabinet on 1 February 2021. The full Cabinet report can be viewed at (DSG pages 550 to 599): CMIS > Meetings
Please note that the technical papers that were provided during the consultation process were based on historical pupil numbers and that the budget for 2021/22 will be based on October 2020 census numbers. School budget shares will be published and available for viewing at www.csapps.norfolk.gov.uk/BudgetShare on 26 February 2021.