The Schools Forum of Buckinghamshire Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 3 November 2026, with discussions anticipated to cover the council's financial performance, the financial health of local schools, and updates on SEND reforms. The meeting will also address a request for a disapplication of an exceptional rent factor.

Q1 Revenue Budget Monitoring

A key item on the agenda is the Q1 Revenue Budget Monitoring report, which will provide an overview of the council's financial position for the first quarter of the financial year 2026-27. The report indicates that the council is experiencing pressures in key service areas such as Adult Social Care, Children's Social Care, Temporary Accommodation, and High Needs budgets within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). These pressures are offset by favourable variances in corporate and funding budgets, leading to an anticipated balanced revenue position overall. The report also details proposed one-off investments, including £3 million for Children's Services to support improvements and £2.2 million for regeneration programmes in town centres. The Dedicated Schools Grant budget is noted to have a deficit of £30.3 million, with a forecast closing balance of £73.3 million for the DSG deficit reserve, assuming 90% of this deficit will be funded from the High Needs Sustainability grant.

Schools Balances and Deficits 2026-27

The forum will also consider the Schools Balances and Deficits report for 2026-27. This report highlights a trend of increasing deficits within individual schools, with further increases forecast for the current financial year. The report notes that while mandatory academy orders for failing schools have been removed, potentially reducing the risk to council budgets from academy conversions, deficit levels within schools continue to rise. Eight schools with deficit budgets are currently classified as Intervention Schools, indicating a heightened risk of further financial deterioration. The report details the historical movement in revenue balances for Maintained Schools, showing an overall surplus of £15.4 million as of March 2026, but forecasting a significant decrease by March 2027. A notable concern is the rising number of schools forecasting deficit budgets, with 45 schools projected to be in deficit by March 2027, a significant increase from previous years. The report attributes these rising deficits to declining pupil numbers and increasing budget pressures, particularly where delays in Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessments require schools to provide support without immediate corresponding funding.

SEND Reforms Update

An update on SEND Reforms is scheduled to be provided. This follows previous discussions where the SEND Reform Plan could not be shared until the Council received the Department for Education's (DfE) formal response, estimated for September 2026. The report pack indicates that government statements suggest future financial support will be linked to the successful delivery of local SEND reform plans, though members have expressed frustration regarding the limited clarity from the DfE on longer-term funding arrangements.

Disapplication Request - Exceptional Rent Factor

The forum is also set to receive a verbal report regarding a Disapplication Request for an Exceptional Rent Factor.

School Forum Working Group Update

A verbal update is expected from the School Forum Working Group.

Q1 Revenue Budget Monitoring

The Q1 Revenue Budget Monitoring report will also detail the council's capital outturn position, with a forecast of £191 million in investment. This includes significant allocations for road improvement programmes and investment in schools, such as £8 million for SEND places and £12 million for mainstream places and early years provision. The report also outlines the council's savings programme, with challenges noted in delivering savings within Education and Children's Services.

Changes to Membership

A verbal update will be provided following the Schools Forum elections held in October 2026, detailing any changes to the membership of the forum.