EFA e-bulletin for academies: 21 July 2016
Published 21 July 2016
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/efa-e-bulletin-21-july-2016-issue-136/efa-e-bulletin-for-academies-21-july-2016
1. Information: sub-contracting controls guidance for 2016 to 2017
We have recently published the sub-contracting controls guidance for 2016 to 2017 which included notice of a significant new restriction which applies to maintained schools and academies that subcontract the whole of a student’s programme (both local and at a distance).
A letter from Peter Lauener setting out the rationale, and underlining the importance of the change in respect of whole programme sub-contracting for academies and maintained schools is now available on GOV.UK.
2. Information: schools funding in 2017 to 2018
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced the schools and high needs funding arrangements for 2017 to 2018. These are broadly similar to last year and confirm that:
- no local authority (LA) will receive less in 2017 to 2018 (adjusted to reflect updated baselines) on their schools and high needs blocks than they did in 2016 to 2017
- the minimum funding guarantee (MFG) of -1.5% per pupil for schools will be retained
- DfE will not proceed with proposals to create a new central schools block, allow local flexibility on the MFG or to ring fence the schools block within the dedicated schools grant in 2017 to 2018
EFA has published the schools funding arrangements for 2017-18, including the LA funding tables. LA operational guidance and the draft Authority Proforma Tool will follow shortly.
Local authorities can now begin the process of setting their local schools formulae.
Final allocations for the schools and high needs blocks will follow in December on the basis of pupil numbers recorded in the October census.
DfE will launch the second stage of the national funding formula consultation for schools and high needs in the autumn, to apply from 2018 to 2019 and will set out plans for a national funding formula for early years shortly.
3. Information: outcome of Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) appeals for 2016 to 2017
Education Funding Agency (EFA) has published a list of successful appeals for the 2016 to 2017 CIF round and will be contacting successful schools to confirm next steps.
Schools can check the outcome of their bid by logging into the CIF portal.
There is no further stage in the appeal process and EFA will not consider any requests to review decisions. In the autumn we will announce details of the next application round of CIF.
4. Information: DfE offers schools the opportunity to make cash savings
Department for Education (DfE) is encouraging schools to take advantage of the opportunity to save money on energy, ICT and multi-functional devices (MFDs). Special deals negotiated by the government are open to all publicly funded schools.
Further information on the available cash savings for schools is now published on GOV.UK. This includes the available deals, potential savings and links to further guidance.