Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/052

Key decision

Contact: Jane Billington, Strategic Finance Business Partner

Jane.billington@oxfordshire.gov,uk

Report by Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CA14)

Explains the arrangements for funding High Needs Dedicated Schools Grant deficits up to the end of 2025/26 as set out by the Government as part of the Final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026/27.

Provides an update on the estimated share of the 2025/26 deficit that will need to be funded by the relevant council(s) when the statutory over-ride ends on 1 April 2028.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)      Note the update on the treatment of High Needs DSG Deficits up to 31 March 2026 set out in the Final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026/27.

b)      Note the changes to High Needs Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding and approve the mid and worst case forecast deficits for 2026/27 (paragraph 21 and Table 1).

c)      Note the funding that is planned to be available to meet the residual element that the council will need to fund following the end of the statutory override.