The Schools' Forum of Wolverhampton Council met on Thursday 27 June 2024 to discuss several key issues, including updates on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), the Schools Forum Forward Plan, and school balances. Decisions were made on the allocation of funds and the future agenda items for the Forum.

Dedicated Schools Grant Out-turn 2023-2024

James Barlow, Finance Business Partner, presented the Dedicated Schools Grant Out-turn 2023-2024. The report detailed the final expenditure for the financial year and highlighted an overspend in the High Needs Block. Concerns were raised about the sustainability of current spending levels, given the increasing demand for special educational needs (SEN) provision. Members acknowledged the need for careful financial planning and prioritisation to manage the budget effectively.

Schools Forum Forward Plan 2024-2025

Bill Hague, Head of School Business and Support Services, introduced the Schools Forum Forward Plan 2024-2025. The plan outlines the key agenda items for the upcoming year, including regular updates on the DSG, school funding, and strategic planning for educational services. Members were invited to suggest additional items for future meetings by contacting Bill Hague or Shelley Humphries, Democratic Services Officer.

School Balances Update

James Barlow also presented the School Balances Update, which provided an overview of the financial positions of schools within the council. The report highlighted significant variances in school balances, with some schools holding substantial reserves while others faced financial difficulties. The Forum discussed the importance of financial management and the potential need for intervention in schools with persistent deficits.

Growth Fund Update

Bill Hague provided an update on the Growth Fund, following discussions at the previous meeting. The Growth Fund Update report included information on the allocation for 2024-2025 and the challenges posed by increased in-year demand. The Department for Education (DfE) advised that support for growing schools should be facilitated through existing Growth Funding. Members approved the outline process for supporting growing schools and agreed to a full review of the Growth Fund mechanism.

Schools' Forum Membership and Attendance Update

Bill Hague provided a verbal update on Schools' Forum Membership and Attendance. No significant changes were reported, but efforts to fill vacancies, particularly from the 16-19 Education sector, were ongoing. The City of Wolverhampton College was being followed up for representation.

Any Other Business

An extraordinary meeting was proposed to consider the revised Dedicated Schools Grant – Early Years Block report. Members agreed to arrange this meeting to ensure timely decisions on the allocation of Early Years funding.

For more details, you can refer to the Minutes of the meeting.