Decision details

In accordance with the Government's school funding framework, the Authority is required to submit a final Schools Block budget proforma for 2017/18 to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) by 20 January 2017.  This report seeks the authorisation of the Cabinet Member to submit the Schools Block budget proforma and requests approval of the Lancashire Early Years and High Needs Block Budgets for 2017/18.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the provisions of Standing Order No 25 have been complied with.

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools:

(i) noted the report, including the 2017/18 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation,  the final budget proposals for each funding block and any comments made by the Lancashire Schools Forum;

(ii) authorised the Head of Service Financial Management Development and Schools to submit the final Schools Block budget proforma for 2017/18 to the EFA by 20 January 2017, on the basis set out in this report;

(iii) approved the 2017/18 budgets for the Early Years and High Needs Blocks;

(iv) agreed that the Dedicated Schools Grant Reserve underwrite the uncertainties around the Early Years and High Needs Blocks.

This decision should be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order 34(3) as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the County Council's responsibilities.  The reason for this is to ensure that the necessary proforma can be submitted to the Education Funding Agency ahead of the required deadline.