Decision details

The High Needs Block (HNB) of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) which funds Special Education within Lancashire Schools and Academies for the financial year 2018/19 is forecast to overspend by circa. £8.5m. The report approved by Cabinet on 18 January 2018 entitled "School Budget 2018/19" balanced this funding gap through the use of DSG reserves but also noted that a review was underway to move quickly to a position where forecast expenditure was in line with the available budget.

This report sets out the financial situation, the reason action is required now, the measures being adopted and ratified by School Forum, and the mitigating actions that are being undertaken.

Reason for Urgency

This decision is urgent and cannot await the next meeting of Cabinet on 12 April 2018. The reason for this is that in order for these measures to be enacted they must be included within Individual School Budgets which are issued on 9 March 2018. This decision is therefore being taken on behalf of Cabinet by the Leader of the County Council and the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 34(1).

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the provisions of Standing Order No. 27 have been complied with.

County Councillor Geoff Driver, the Leader of the County Council and County Councillor Susie Charles, the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools endorsed and approved Option B outlined within this report.

This decision should be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order 35 as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the County Council's responsibilities. The reason for this is that Individual School Budgets will be issued to schools on 9 March 2018.