Consultation on the Terms of Reference for the Dedicated Schools Grant Formula Review.

Consultation Response Form

DSG Formula Review: Terms of reference

The Department has published the terms of reference for the review of the formula for distributing the Dedicated Schools Grant to local authorities. The aim of the review is to develop a single, transparent formula available for use from 2011-12 onwards.

This consultation seeks the views of local authorities, Schools Forums and other stakeholders on the key issues for the review and the terms of reference.

Completed forms should be emailed to: [email protected] by 2 November 2007.

If your have any enquiries about this consultation or the review please contact Sue Pickerill on 0207 925 6707 or [email protected].

Name

Sarah Pook

Organisation

Hampshire County Council

Email address

[email protected]

Phone number

01962 847045

Yes

Yes

No

Comments:

Whilst the aim is set out, the objectives are not clear nor are the principles or characteristics of a successful formula. These principles were defined for previous reviews and we consider it important that they are set out for this review in order to give a framework for success. Such principles need to be developed again and should be appropriate for the development of a formula which is expected to have a reasonable lifespan. They might include

a. The criteria should be transparent and the resulting distribution capable of easy replication by local authorities and other stakeholders;

b. The formula should use data that is already collected, which could describe characteristics of children within an authority's schools, or the characteristics of an authority as a whole;

c. Data should to be robust in terms of collection, integrity and lifetime.

Further, the formula reviews following the 2003/04 "funding crisis" made predictability and stability a high priority, it should be clear in the objectives what emphasis is being placed on these key issues. This would then influence the extent to which change is achieved through the formula or through transition and damping arrangements.

Finally the proposal that the review team will have regard to the new role of DCSF as the lead government department for all children's issues and consider whether there should be a further increase in the flexibility of local authorities to use the centrally retained part of their schools budget to support the delivery of Every Child Matters outcomes are both welcomed.

 Yes

Yes

No

Comments:

As set out above, the objectives of the review should clearly address the principles of a successful formula and the priority that will be given to predictability and stability should be clearly defined.

Further whilst the funding of schools and services for children and young adults up to the age of 19 is referred to, the issue of the return of post 16 funding to local authorities from the Learning and Skills Council expected in 2011 is not set out as an issue for consideration and should be.

The DCSF is also expected to launch further consultations on the future of Schools Forum for 2008 and longer term for 2011 and beyond. The DSG review will need to be closely linked with the role of the Schools Forum for 2011.

Yes

no

No

Comments:

The review should be considering whether schools' funding should continue to be channelled through DSG as a ring fenced grant. Government support should be provided as far as possible as general formula grant, not as specific grants. The Dedicated Schools Grant should be reabsorbed into formula grant, as the continuation of ring-fenced funding of the Schools Budget runs counter to the objectives of the Children Act and the Government's proposals for integrating the funding arrangements for Connexions and 14 to 19 year old provision.

Other key issues have been referred to above.

 Yes

Yes

No

Comments:

Again, see above. The terms of reference refer to the elements that may be included within the formula but do not refer to the characteristics of a successful formula nor to the key issue of change versus predictability and stability.

Yes

Yes

No

Comments:

Yes

Yes

No

Comments: