The Schools Forum meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 15 September 2026, was set to cover a range of important financial and operational matters concerning Camden's schools. Key discussions were expected to include updates on the council's energy procurement strategy, proposed amendments to the Forum's terms of reference, and a detailed look at school funding for the 2027/28 academic year. The forum was also scheduled to receive an update on the High Needs Block and review its work programme.

Update on Camden's Energy Procurement Contract Renewal for 2028-2032

The Schools Forum was provided with information regarding the council's proposed renewal of its energy procurement strategy for the period 2028-2032. This strategy involves aggregating energy spend across schools, housing, and the corporate estate with approximately 250 other public sector organisations to secure lower energy costs through wholesale markets via a Central Purchasing Authority. The strategy also includes forward purchasing energy to hedge against market volatility. The intention is to continue this approach, subject to Cabinet approval in November. The report outlined several options for energy procurement, with the recommendation to continue using a Central Purchasing Authority, citing benefits such as cost aggregation and risk management. It also detailed potential risks and mitigation strategies, including ensuring value for money and managing market volatility.

Amendments to Terms of Reference: Schools Forum and High Needs Block Subgroup

Proposed changes to the Schools Forum's terms of reference were presented for consideration. These included increasing the Forum's membership by adding a representative from the Early Years Private, Voluntary, & Independent (PVI) sector and reducing the minimum number of annual meetings from five to four. Additionally, proposed changes to the terms of reference for the High Needs Block Subgroup (HNBS) were presented, following discussions at a previous meeting. These amendments aimed to formalise the HNBS's role and its appended status to the main Schools Forum terms of reference.

Funding Update and Schools Funding Consultation: 2027/28

This report provided an update on the national funding position for schools, following recent Department for Education (DfE) announcements. For the 2027/28 financial year, it was anticipated that there would be an inflation uplift to the National Funding Formula (NFF) schools block, which the council proposed to pass on to Camden schools. It was also expected that there would be minimal changes to the current NFF funding formula structure, with major changes likely deferred until 2028/29. The council proposed continuing its previous decision to make no changes to the local funding formula, subject to statutory requirements. The report also outlined current spending pressures, Camden's support for schools, and the proposed timetable for consultation on the local funding formula. Specific recommendations included noting the current national funding position, agreeing to pass on any inflation uplift, and continuing with no changes to the local funding formula unless required by the DfE. The report also detailed various new grant funding arrangements for 2026/27 and their expected continuation into 2027/28, including the Schools Budget Support Grant and the Inclusion Mainstream schools Grant.

High Needs Block (HNB) 2026/27 Update

An update was provided on the projected outturn for the High Needs Block (HNB) for 2026/27, reflecting Quarter 1 monitoring. The report indicated an increase in the in-year deficit from £10.7 million, as stated in the June 2026 Schools Forum report, to £11.24 million. This increase was attributed to factors including the omission of place funding for Capital City College Group and continued growth across all budgets due to rising numbers of children and young people with Education Health and Care plans (EHCPs) and Exceptional Needs Grants (ENGs). The report highlighted significant growth in out-of-borough placements and individual tuition spend, underscoring the need to develop local provision. It also noted that Camden's HNB allocation for 2026/27 remained largely unchanged from the previous year, despite increasing demand and inflationary pressures. The report also touched upon national SEND reforms and the potential impact of the High Needs Stability Grant, noting that Camden would not be eligible at this stage due to still having DSG reserves.

Schools Forum Work Programme and Action Tracker

The report presented the Schools Forum's work programme for the 2026/27 academic year, outlining the key reports officers intended to submit throughout the year. It also provided an update on actions requested at previous meetings, detailing their status. The work programme included planned discussions on formula changes, contracts, financial issues, and other matters concerning school funding, as outlined in the Forum's terms of reference. The action tracker listed outstanding items from the previous academic year and new actions arising from the current meeting.

The meeting was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, at 6:00 PM in Committee Room 1, Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE.