Issue - meetings

Report of the Assistant Director of Children’s Services (Education)

Further to Minute No. 39 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 27 July 2023, the Council considered the report of the Assistant Director of Children’s Services (Education) that advised of:

1.             The monitoring position of the High Needs budget position on 1July 2023, as per the previous agreement to provide regular updates, and included:

·       The forecast expenditure to year end based on current / anticipated Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) support required during 2022/23.

·       The provisional High Need budget forecast for the 2023/24 financial year based on announced funding levels and estimated High Needs demands.

2.             An update on the current SEN Review / Sufficiency Programme aimed at bringing High Needs expenditure pressures back into a more manageable financial position in the future including the outcomes from the work to date on the national Delivering Better Value Programme

It was moved by Councillor Roscoe, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED: That

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) – High Needs Budget

(1)           the current forecast position relating to the 2023/24 High Needs Budget be noted;

(2)           the forecast accumulative deficit position of the High Needs Budget be noted;

(3)           the provisional potential deficit position facing the 2023/24 High Needs Budget be noted;

Update on the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Review / Sufficiency Programme

(4)      the outcomes from the Delivering Better Value Programme be noted; and

(5)      the continuing work being undertaken through the SEN Review/ Sufficiency Programme be noted.

Report of the Assistant Director of Children’s Services (Education)

The Cabinet considered the report of the Assistant Director of Children’s Services (Education) that advised of:

1.             The monitoring position of the High Needs budget position on 1July 2023, as per the previous agreement to provide regular updates, and included:

·       The forecast expenditure to year end based on current / anticipated Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) support required during 2022/23.

·       The provisional High Need budget forecast for the 2023/24 financial year based on announced funding levels and estimated High Needs demands.

2.             An update on the current SEN Review / Sufficiency Programme aimed at bringing High Needs expenditure pressures back into a more manageable financial position in the future including the outcomes from the work to date on the national Delivering Better Value Programme

Decision(s) Made:

That the Council be requested to:

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) – High Needs Budget

(1)           note the current forecast position relating to the 2023/24 High Needs Budget;

(2)           note the forecast accumulative deficit position of the High Needs Budget;

(3)           note the provisional potential deficit position facing the 2023/24 High Needs Budget;

Update on the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Review / Sufficiency Programme

(4)      note the outcomes from the Delivering Better Value Programme; and

(5)      note the continuing work being undertaken through the SEN Review/ Sufficiency Programme.

Reasons for the Decision:

1)           To provide an updated on the 2023/24 High Needs budget financial position.

2)           To provide Members with a provisional update of the potential deficit budget forecast against the High Needs budget in 2023/24.

3)           To ensure that the SEND Review / Sufficiency programme could progress to provide sustainable and effective SEND support for Sefton pupils within the available resources allocated through the Dedicated Schools Grant – High Needs Block.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.