The North Northamptonshire Schools Forum meeting scheduled for 15 January 2026 was set to address the financial settlement for schools in the upcoming academic year, including detailed breakdowns of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and its various blocks. Discussions were also planned around the mainstream schools funding formula, central school services, early years provision, and the high needs block, alongside policies for pupil growth funding and managing funding following permanent exclusions.

2026-27 Dedicated Schools Grant Settlement

The forum was scheduled to receive an update on the 2026-27 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) settlement for North Northamptonshire Council, as published by the Department for Education (DfE). This settlement, which incorporates grants like the National Insurance Contribution Grant (NICG) and Schools Budget Support Grant (SBSG) into the Schools Block and Central School Services Block, was expected to show an overall increase in the total DSG allocation. The report detailed the proposed allocations for the Schools Block, Central School Services Block, High Needs Block, and the Indicative Early Years Block, with adjustments made to the 2025-26 figures for a clear comparison.

2026-27 Schools Block Budgets and Mainstream Schools Funding Formula

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the 2026-27 Schools Block budgets, including the proposed Mainstream Schools Funding Formula. This agenda item was to present the Schools Block DSG allocation for noting and to seek agreement on the proposed mainstream primary and secondary school budgets and the Growth Fund budget, which would then be recommended for approval by North Northamptonshire's Executive and Council. The report detailed the impact of falling pupil numbers on funding and presented two options for the Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) – one at 0% and another at -0.5% – both requiring capping and scaling to ensure affordability. Decisions were also to be made regarding the de-delegation of funds for Trade Union Facilities Time and the School Effectiveness Service.

2026-27 Central School Services Block Budgets

The forum was to consider the proposals for central expenditure on education functions for 2026-27, which included an overall reduction in the Central School Services Block (CSSB) funding. This reduction was attributed to a 20% decrease in the historical element of the CSSB. The report outlined the CSSB's two elements: funding for ongoing responsibilities, calculated on a per-pupil rate, and funding for historic commitments, which has been progressively reduced by the DfE. The proposed budget for 2026-27 showed a decrease compared to the previous year, with specific details on the allocation for historical commitments and ongoing responsibilities, including admissions, Schools Forum costs, and statutory duties.

2026-27 Early Years Block Budgets

This agenda item focused on the proposed early years budgets for 2026-27, based on DFE announcements and the methodology for allocating funding to providers. North Northamptonshire Council's retention of 3% of funding to meet statutory and operational duties was to be approved, alongside the proposed hourly rates for various funding streams, including universal and extended entitlements for 3 and 4-year-olds, and funding for 2-year-olds and under-2s. The report detailed increases in hourly rates for most funding streams and highlighted the proposed budget for the Special Educational Needs Inclusion Fund (SENIF).

2026-27 High Needs Block Budgets

The forum was to receive an update on the proposed budget for the High Needs Block (HNB) of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2026-27. The report indicated that the HNB budget remained under strain, projecting an in-year deficit of £24,721,000. This was attributed to a significant increase in Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs), the growing complexity of SEND needs, and the rising costs of specialist placements. The report also detailed the Council's sufficiency strategy to increase state-funded specialist provision and ongoing discussions with special schools regarding capacity expansion. A proposal to transfer 0.5% (£1.617m) from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block was also to be considered.

2026-27 Pupil Growth Fund Policy and Budget

This agenda item concerned the North Northamptonshire Pupil Growth Fund (NNC PGF), which provides revenue funding for schools to employ staff for new school places, fulfilling the Local Authority's statutory obligation. The fund, sourced from the Schools Block of the DSG, is used to support growth in pre-16 pupil numbers for basic need, infant class size regulations, and the revenue costs of new or repurposed places. The report was to provide an update on the allocation of the PGF for 2025/26 and projections for 2026/27, detailing the per-pupil rates and the methodology for calculating payments. It also outlined the known and planned growth requirements for both primary and secondary schools, linked to housing developments and permanent PAN increases.

2026-27 De-Delegation: Schools Insurance Service

An update was provided on the Schools Insurance Service, which is currently de-delegated for maintained primary and secondary schools, with a traded option for other settings. The report noted that the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) per-pupil rate for 2026/27 would increase to £29. Details of the Schools and Academies Insurance Framework (SAIF) scheme offered by the Local Authority, provided by Zurich, were still awaited, with the expectation that the rate would be competitive and lower than the RPA. The report outlined the next steps, including the potential reversion to a fully traded service if Zurich's terms were not received by a specified deadline.

2025-26 School Budgets Monitoring at Period 8

This report informed the Schools Forum of the current year's budget position based on the first eight months (April to November 2025) and the anticipated year-end balances. It highlighted that one budget submission was still outstanding. The report noted limitations in the Period 8 forecast due to the pay award for support staff and teachers, and subsequent back pay, not yet being actioned for all schools. A table presented the income and expenditure up to Period 8, including opening revenue balances, P8 income and expenditure, in-year variances, and year-end forecasts.

2026-27 Policy for Readjustment or Deduction of Funding following a Permanent Exclusion

This policy document outlined North Northamptonshire Council's procedures for managing the financial readjustment or deduction of funding following a permanent pupil exclusion. The policy ensures that funding follows the pupil from the excluding school to the provision that takes responsibility for their continued education, in accordance with statutory guidance. It detailed the process for calculating readjustments based on the North Northamptonshire per-pupil funding formula, including factors such as basic needs, Pupil Premium, and IDACI. The policy also addressed the procedure for independent review panels and dispute resolution, including escalation routes to the DfE for academies.

Urgent Business

This item was reserved for any urgent matters that required discussion at the meeting.