Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 10, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Schools Block Budget 2025/26 Financial Year:   To approve the Local Authority formula for allocating resources to Hammersmith & Fulham schools for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1 the Authority Proforma Tool (APT) for setting school budgets.   To approve the National Funding Formula (NFF) funding formula factor rates (as set out in Appendix 1) as the basis for calculating the 2025/26 schools funding formula, together with a minus 0.25% per pupil Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) protection for individual schools versus 2024/25 levels with respect to pupil led funding. Minus 0.25% represents the affordable protection achievable within the grant funding allocation confirmed.   To approve the transfer of £1.23m being 1.0% of the total schools' block allocation from the schools' block to the high needs block in the 2025/26 financial year. This is to support high needs education expenditure for special educational needs in Hammersmith and Fulham.  This is subject to Ministerial agreement from the Department of Education which is expected in February 2025.   If the 1% block transfer is rejected by the Minister of State in February 2025, to approve the budget allocation as per the alternative model as set out in Appendix 2 with a reduced 0.5% block transfer to High Needs.   To approve de-delegation budgets of £0.555m for maintained mainstream schools only as confirmed by Schools Forum on 21 January 2025.   To approve the education functions budgets of £0.289m for maintained mainstream schools only, as confirmed by Schools Forum on 21 January 2025.   Central Services Schools Block Budget 2025/26. To approve the proposed budget allocation for Central Services Schools Block DSG totalling £1.939m.