Issue - decisions

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

1. Transfer 1% of the Schools Block (which equates to approximately to £10.0m) into the High Needs Block for 2021-22.

2. In relation to the Kent local funding formula for schools:

i.              Continue to provide a Primary lump sum rate of £120,000 (before the area cost adjustment).

ii.            Continue with the Falling Roll fund for 2021-22.

iii.           Set the local Minimum Funding Guarantee percentage at 0.5% for 2021-22 for primary and secondary schools.

iv.           Set the Ever 6 Free School Meals Factor for 2021-22 as per the value in the table below:

v.            Set the Basic Entitlement Factor for 2021-22 as per the value in the table below:

vi.           All other factors within the current local funding formula to be set as per the National Funding Formula (NFF), with most increasing by 3% compared to 2020-21. 

vii.          Update the calculation of the Notional SEN budget to include both the Minimum Per Pupil Level and Minimum Funding Guarantee factors.

3. Increase the base rate paid to Early Years providers for Free entitlement provision by 6p for three- and four-year olds and 8p for two-year olds. Maintain deprivation supplements at the same rates as 2020-21.

4. Increase the factor values of the Special Schools funding formula by 3%, and in addition to abolishing the lower place funding rate for pupils with Social, Emotional Mental Health needs. All SEMH places will now be funded at the higher place funding rate.

5. Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education to make any further necessary changes to funding rates in light of any final affordability issues.