Issue - meetings

To receive a report outlining the allocation of funding for schools and services for pupils from the Government Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Kam Kaur

Councillor Kam Kaur introduced the annual report outlining the allocation of the Government Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).  She explained that the DSG was the ring-fenced grant from Government that provided each local authority with an allocation of funding for schools and services for pupils. Councillor Kaur indicated that the report outlined the context and position for each of the four blocks of the DSG, and the current proposed allocations. 

Councillor John Holland considered that the report was jargon-heavy which made it difficult for a lay person to understand how their taxes were being spent.  In response Councillor Kaur considered that the blocks had been in place for many years and the report was relatively straightforward.

Councillor Margaret Bell welcomed additional funding for the Early Years Block which was set out in the report and asked if there was confidence that there were sufficient places available to accommodate the increase.  In response, Councillor Kaur responded positively, noting that the Council was actively working with providers and undertaking analysis to reach and  support more disadvantaged areas where the recruitment of child minders was also being explored.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.     Approves the Schools Block DSG allocation, as outlined in Section 3 of the report.

2.     Approves the Early Years Block DSG allocation of funding for all early years providers as outlined in Section 4 of the report.

3.     Approves the allocation of the High Needs DSG budget, as set out in Section 5 of the report.

4.     Supports the proposals for allocating the Central School Services DSG budget, as set out in Section 6 of the report.