Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: March 11, 2025

Purpose: Cabinet is recommended to approve the final 2025/26 Local Funding Formula for 5-16 year olds and note the changes of the Local Funding Formula from 2024/25.

Content: Cabinet:   (1)          approved the final 2025/26 Local Funding Formula for 5-16 year olds at Appendix A of the report;   (2)          noted the changes of the Local Funding Formula from 2024/25 as set out in Appendix A of the report;   (3)          noted the indicative 2025/26 High Needs Block budget in Appendix B of the report; and   (4)          noted the 2025/26 Early Years Funding Formula for early years providers at Appendices C of the report.   Options & Alternatives Considered   In September 2015 Schools Forum adopted the following principles to be applied to its funding decisions:   •           Transparency •           Fairness •           Stability •           Support for vulnerable students      In October 2019 Schools Forum noted the direction of travel towards a NFF and asked officers to model the impact of moving towards NFF funding figures over a transitionary period. A task and finish group considered several detailed models and recommended the adoption of the NFF factors and rates in 2020-21, coupled with raising the MFG to the then new upper limit of +1.84%. These proposals were adopted by Schools Forum in November 2019 and confirmed by a consultation in late November 2019. From 2021/22 through to 2025/26 Schools Forum has reaffirmed its decision on the NFF together with using the maximum level of MFG available.