1. 2014-15 Maintained Schools Balances Scheme Agenda Item 5

2. School Balances The 2013-14 maintained School balances information was reported to the Forum meeting in July 2014. At the October forum meeting proposals for changes that could be made to the SB1 for 2014-15 were discussed and supported by forum. The consultation with schools has now been undertaken and the questions and 13 responses are shown in Appendix A. The feedback on each area is summarised on the following slides. Note - This requires a formal vote by forum members.

3. 1) Pupil premium Pupil premium could usefully be split between FSM element and other in future. This change would mean some more additional work for schools in completing the SB1 (and checking by the schools team). This would improve the level of information available to school governors and forum. 9 of the 12 schools responding on this question supported this proposal. The other feedback included additional pressure on schools from needing to split, concern identifying at too low a level could match to individual children and the need for advice from Finance on how best to track on SIMS. Apply proposal. Finance issue advice to schools on how best to use SIMS to track. Note - The SB1 not a public document.

4. 2) Revenue set aside for capital The line for revenue funds set aside for capital reads that it should just be for capital in the NCC capital programme although we use it for revenue funds set aside for capital by a school. The description should be amended for 2014-15 Feedback – All responses supported the proposal. 2 schools felt that the existing wording that needs must be identified in the Asset Management Plan (AMP) for capital spend to be incurred should be removed as this was not always the case. Apply proposal. Simplify wording to revenue set aside for capital

5. 3)a UIFSM capital Add new line for Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM) capital Although not ringfenced it was felt important that any year end balance on UIFSM capital was identified All responses supported Apply proposal

6. 3)b UIFSM revenue Add new lines for Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM) revenue UIFSM revenue funding has been allocated to schools by the EFA based on an average national take up % of 87%. Any funding adjustments will not take place until 2015-16. At the year end maintained schools will therefore have either been under or overfunded. This should be identified on the SB1 form. All responses supported this proposal. Apply proposal

7. 4) Other changes Schools were asked if they have any other areas where they think the SB1 form should be changed for 2014-15 2 schools suggested that any balance on the UIFSM small schools revenue allocation should be a new line on the SB1. This should not be added to the SB1. The UIFSM revenue line being added (consultation question 3a) is for monies owed at year end not under or overspends on UIFSM. Any balance on the UIFSM small schools allocation at year end would form part of a schools overall carry forward.

8. 4) Other changes The only other change is being more explicit on extended school balances - childrens centres. Of the maintained schools only Pen Green still operate a childrens centre.

9. Consultation overview The feedback from schools supported the proposals Any Questions before voting? Forum are asked to vote on the proposed changes which are reflected on the revised SB1 form (see Appendix B)