Purpose

This report requests approval for the 'Schools, Early Years, High Needs and Central Schools Services Block' budget allocations for 2026/27. The council is required to submit a budget return for 2026/27 to the Education and Skills Funding Agency by 22 January 2026 detailing these allocations. This report seeks the approval of Cabinet to submit the return on the basis detailed in this report.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of the council's cabinet procedure rules (Standing Order C19, Consideration of Key Decisions) have been complied with.

Decision

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

This decision should 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 return can be submitted to the DfE by the required deadline.