Contact: Sarah Pook, (01962) 847045; [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This report sets out the main proposals of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in its consultation on school, early years and 14-16 funding for 2008-11 and sets out the potential issues that need considering in making a response. It then attaches a proposed draft response to the 37 questions asked by the DfES in the consultation.

1.2 The following decisions were made:

· That the County Council make further comment in the return of the consultation form urging the DfES not to implement these proposals in full until they have been fully modelled and tested.

· The Leader in consultation with Councillors Mrs Hindson, Kirk and Mrs Banks, County Treasurer and Director of Children's Services are authorised to make final amendments in the light of Cabinet and Schools Forum consideration and submit the final response to the DfES.

2 Reason(s)

2.1 Following a consultation in 2005 the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) introduced a new school funding system for 2006/07 including multi year budgets and the new Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) - a ring fenced grant to cover all funding for schools' activities. This consultation and the outcomes were always seen as being transitional, with further changes and developments being required.

2.2 The first multi year budget ran from 2006/07 to 2007/08 and the next three year budget will start in 2008/09. The DfES have now issued a consultation on proposed arrangements for 2008-11. The proposals cover school funding both at local authority and school level and cover the implications of key government reforms. The proposals are wide ranging and will impact on the funding the County Council receives for its schools and school activities.

3 Other options considered and rejected:

3.1 There are a number of options in response to each of the proposals and these have been explored where appropriate in the report.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted - None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T.K. Thornber, C.B.E. - Chairman