To note the content of the report.

James Norris explained that the report was to provide the Forum an update on the financial position for the current financial year (2022/23) as well as a projected outturn and projected balance of the deficit as of 31^st March 2023.

James Norris then summarised the report, starting with Financial Details / Value for Money (Section 3). He went through the financial position of each schools block budget:

·       Schools block: reported underspend variance of £496,000. This reflected the lower requirement to use the pupil growth fund than the budgeted allocation received in 2022/23.

·       Central School Services block: reported underspend of £125,000. This was a reduction in the Overhead Child’s and Dedicated Schools Grant.

·       Early Years block: reported underspend £135,000. This was due to an increase of the receipt of an in-year grant from the previous financial year.

·       High Needs block: reported overspend of £559,000. Within the variance of this block, there was a provision for future demand of £400,000.

The overall net underspend was £197,000 in year, which was positive news, according to James Norris, as it was a material movement from the last reported position. The main reason for this change was due to the Deficit Management Plan themes which were introduced in the current and previous financial. The overspend on the High Needs block had been reduced by £474,000 (a 2% movement).

James Norris then explained the Deficit Management Plan themes which lead to the reduced overspend:

·       A more robust and challenging process for requests from external providers for inflationary increases.

·       The impact of the SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) service on reducing the number of pupils being excluded.

·       The introduction of the resource-based unit.

·       ECHP (Education and Health Care Plan) panels including the headteacher in which they took part in the reviewing, helping them understand the financial impact of their decisions.

·       Schools were becoming increasingly inclusive.

Despite the reduced overspend, James Norris added that a £557,000 overspend was still being forecasted.

James Norris then explained the next steps on the Delivering Better Value (DBV) programme in which AfC (Achieving for Children) were actively engaged in. In December 2022, AfC submitted 6,000 records of data to DfE (Department for Education) which would form part of a detailed analysis that DfE were undertaking on AfC’s behalf. A main priority for AfC in the next 6-12 months would be to continue working closely with DfE on the DBV programme.

The Vice-Chairman asked if the £559,000 overspend for the High Needs block was a ‘worst case scenario’. James Norris confirmed this forecast was the best estimate of the outturn position, explaining that it was the estimate for 31^st March 2023. This included a provision for future demand between November 2022 and 31^st March 2023 which was based on previous financial years.

The Vice-Chairman then asked if there were any results on the Delivering Better Value (DBV) programme. James Norris replied that it was still early to assess any impact. However, he stated that the results of the Deficit Management Plan themes were running in parallel and were already being implemented. These were having an impact on the overall forecast position.

Joolz Scarlett asked if there were any lessons learnt from other local authorities regarding the submission of files to DfE. James Norris explained that the DBV was intended to aid local authorities with deficit balances. He stated that there were other local authorities who were ahead in the programme compared to RBWM, but there were other authorities which were behind. He also conveyed that AfC had reached out to other local authorities in Berkshire to acquire their input into the data sharing with DfE. James Norris also stated that some AfC officers would be attending workshops with other local authorities to share ideas and feedback.

Joolz Scarlett then stated that risks needed to be recognised in regards to the withdrawal of the schools’ white paper as well as the green paper potentially not being implemented. Clive Haines, Deputy Director for Education, responded that AfC’s five-year SEND strategy plan contained much of the green paper and was still being implemented.

The Forum noted the report