SCHOOLS FORUM
Meeting date:
From:
15th October 2014
Helen Hamilton
Finance Manager – Schools & Learning
SCHOOLS DE-DELEGATED CONTINGENCY BUDGET –
BUDGET FORECAST AS AT 31ST AUGUST 2014
1.0
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At its meeting on 21st June 2013, the Schools Forum agreed that a
report detailing the forecast budget position on the de-delegated
contingency budget would be presented at each Forum meeting.
Appended to this report is the forecast 2014/15 budget position on the
contingency budget as at 31st August 2014. A projected underspend of
£569,898 is reported. Any underspend on the budget at the financial
year end will be transferred into the Dedicated Schools Grant reserve
for future distribution to schools, subject to the approval of the
Schools Forum.
The Schools Forum is asked to note the forecast budget position for
the contingency budget. It should be noted that as this is a dedelegated budget it only relates to maintained schools.
2.0
2.1
3.0
3.1
4.0
4.1
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND EQUALITY IMPLICATIONS
Ensuring that Cumbrian schools are funded appropriately is
supportive of the Council Plan objective ‘to safeguard children, and
ensure that Cumbria is a great place to be a child and grow up in’.
RECOMMENDATION
The Schools Forum is asked to note the forecast budget position for
the contingency budget.
BACKGROUND
The de-delegated contingency budget for 2014/15 is £673,544.
4.2
The DfE guidance states that the contingency budget can be used for three
purposes:
 Exceptional unforeseen costs which it would be unreasonable to
expect governing bodies to meet
 Schools in financial difficulties
 Additional costs relating to new, reorganised or closing schools
4.3
As the budget is a de-delegated budget, it only relates to maintained
schools.
4.4
The appended spreadsheet presents a forecast budget position for the
contingencies budget for the 2014/15 financial year. Expenditure is
grouped into the three categories detailed at 4.2 above.
4.5
The forecast on the contingencies budget for 2014/15 is an underspend of
£569,898. Any under or overspend on the budget at the financial year end
will be carried forward into the Dedicated Schools Grant earmarked reserve
for future distribution to schools (to be determined by the Schools Forum).
5.0
5.1
OPTIONS
The Schools Forum is asked to note the forecast year end position on the
contingencies budget as at August 2014.
6.0
RESOURCE AND VALUE FOR MONEY IMPLICATIONS
6.1
The de-delegated contingencies budget for 2014/15 as agreed by the
Schools Forum in January 2014 is £673,544. As at 31st August 2014, an
underspend of £569,898 is forecast for the 2014/15 financial year.
6.2 In accordance with the Dedicated Schools Grant conditions, any underspend
or overspend on the de-delegated contingencies budget at the financial year
end will be carried forward into the Dedicated Schools Grant earmarked
reserve for future distribution to schools (subject to the approval of the
Schools Forum).
7.0
CONCLUSION
7.1
This paper presents the forecast 2014/15 year end outturn position on the
de-delegated contingencies budget as at August 2014. The Schools Forum
is asked to note the projected underspend position of £569,898.
Helen Hamilton
Finance Manager – Schools & Learning
29th September 2014
_________________________________________________________________
Accompanying Documents:
Appendix 1 – Schools Contingency Budget Forecast as at 31st August 2014
REPORT AUTHOR
Contact:
Helen Hamilton
Finance Manager – Schools and Learning
Email: helen.hamilton@cumbria.gov.uk
Telephone: 01228 221196
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