Purpose

To approve school forum’s recommended
budget
proposals for school budgets, central school
services and early years within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)
for 2026/27

Decision

That:
 
Herefordshire’s school funding proposals for 2026/27 adopt
the National Funding Formula (NFF) values and be approved by
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, as recommended by
School’s Forum and set out in the report and as summarised in
Appendix A.
 
 

Alternative options considered

1.             
Herefordshire Council
has fully implemented the National Funding Formula (NFF)
methodology, so alternative options are limited. Given the growing
national issue of High Needs Block (HNB) deficits, the NFF allows
for the top slice of the funding blocks to redirect to the HNB. The
Schools Block top slice for SEN Protection Scheme has ceased for
2026/27 as reported at the Schools Forum meeting on 11 July 2025,
following recommendation from Budget Working Group (BWG) on the 27
June 2025.
2.             
In
considering the proposals set out in the report, the Council has
consulted with Budget Working Group (BWG), schools and early years
providers.