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Summary
The Nottingham City Council Schools Forum met on 29 April 2025 to discuss the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) revenue monitoring and the Schools Forum Working Group. The forum noted the revenue budget monitoring and the forecasted outturn positions, and that the DSG is experiencing substantial incremental pressures that are currently impacting the High Needs Block (HNB), projecting a revised deficit of £1.525 million by the 2026-27 fiscal year relating to rising costs in alternative provision and exclusions. The work of the Schools Forum Working Group was also discussed, with a focus on reducing permanent exclusions.
Dedicated Schools Grant Revenue Monitoring 2024/25
The Schools Forum noted the Dedicated Schools Grant Revenue Budget Monitoring and forecasted Outturn positions. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is a ring-fenced grant used to fund education and enable access to education within Nottingham City. The DSG is divided into four key areas: the Schools Block, Early Years Block, Central Schools Services Block, and the High Needs Block.
The forum heard that Nottingham City Council had previously built up a significant DSG surplus, but recent increases in costs have led to in-year deficits, requiring the council to draw on these reserves. The 2023-24 budget had planned to increase the overall balance of DSG reserves by £2 million, but due to an overall in-year overspend, no contribution was made. Instead, a drawdown from reserves of £2.7 million was made to reflect the impact of the 2023-24 deficit.
The High-Needs Block Recovery Plan is underway, led by the services area and the Transformation Team, with support from finance colleagues. The draft plan was presented to the leader and Commissioners recently, with more detailed plans and costings being re-presented to them by the end of the month, and it was expected to be available to share with schools by the end of May. The plan focuses on four main areas of concern:
- Permanent exclusions
- High-Level Needs and allocation
- Post 16 provision
- Sufficiency and cost of external placements
The forum was told that high-level needs is a national concern, and local authorities, including Nottingham City, are waiting for the government to respond to the issues raised with them.
Schools Forum Working Group
Councillor Kerrie Fox, Chair of the HHELC (PRUs), updated the forum on the work of the Schools Forum Working Group. The group has been meeting fortnightly since January 2025, primarily focusing on proposals to reduce permanent exclusions. Various ideas have been put forward and are being considered, including responses to one-off incidents, targeted offers, support mechanisms, and reintegration strategies. Meetings have also been held outside of the working group with secondary heads, where the bulk of exclusions occur.
The Schools Forum heard that the working group meetings have been paused to allow assessment of what is affordable and what will have the biggest impact, and for the outcomes to be included in the High-Level Needs Plan. Councillor Kerrie Fox, Chair of the HHELC (PRUs), expressed gratitude to all those who had been part of the working group for their involvement and dedication to finding a solution.
Other Matters
- Following a question, Nicholas Lee, Director of Education Services, stated that the new Corporate Director, Sarah Nardone, is currently looking at the directorate structure and, once finalised, a structure chart for Children’s Services will be shared with Forum members and the wider schools community.
- The forum noted the work plan for 2024-25.
- The next meeting will be held remotely at 1.45pm on Tuesday 24 June 2025.
Attendees
Meeting Documents
Agenda
Reports Pack