Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with update on Local Authority (LA) activity relating to the consultation proposals with key stakeholder groups and seeks to discuss with Schools’ Forum the current draft joint LA and Schools response and seek any additional views/comments.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report; and

b)   Offer any comments / further views to be included in the draft consultation responses as provided at Appendix 1 & 2.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on Local Authority (LA) activity relating to the consultation proposals with key stakeholder groups and seeking to discuss the current draft joint LA and Schools response.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Head teachers appreciated the work that the Local Authority was doing on their behalf.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the instability to schools an increase to the MFG level would cause. In response, it was stated that an increase would release additional funding within the system to allow the schools that were due to receive an increase in funding to receive it quicker and benefit from increased funding levels.

·         Lots of work had been done by schools and the Local Authority up this point and it was felt that the lobbying needed to continue beyond the consultation deadline.

·         Some schools felt vulnerable when contacting parents about the consultation as there was a risk that explaining the impact of the proposals to parents could result in a reduction in pupil numbers, particularly to the private sector. It was felt that a holistic approach to the next stage of lobbying should be taken to minimise this risk to any particular school.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to circulate the F40 document that was submitted to the Prime Minister in relation to the National Funding Formula Consultation to Schools Forum members.

(3) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to liaise with the head teacher at Moss Hey Primary School regarding the progress on the “running costs of school” exercise.

(4) That the Borough Treasurer and Corporate Director for People be requested to finalise and submit the joint Local Authority/Schools Forum consultation response.