Purpose

In accordance with the Government's school funding Regulations and Guidance, the Authority is required to submit a final Schools Block budget pro-forma for 2024/25 to the Education and Skills Funding Agency by 22 January 2024. This report seeks the authorisation of the Cabinet to submit the Schools Block budget pro-forma and requests approval for the Early Years, High Needs and Central Schools Services Block budgets for 2024/25.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C19 have been complied with.

Decision

The Cabinet approved the recommendation(s) as set out in the report.

This decision be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order C28(3) as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities. The reason for this is to ensure that the necessary pro-forma can be submitted to the Education and Skills Funding Agency by the required deadline of 22 January 2024.