Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the final 2018/19 Schools Budget financed predominantly via deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

Schools Forum Members are asked to note the report and offer any comments.

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) which provided Schools Forum members with details of the final 2018/19 Schools Budget financed predominantly via deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum queried the position in relation to the position of school balances (particularly in the primary sector) and the issue of the overall surplus level held by schools at a time when the Local Authority is lobbying central government for additional resources.  In response, a representative of the Borough Treasurer outlined the current process (i.e. a 12% threshold level) which was applied in accordance with the Scheme for Financing Schools’ document as approved by Schools’ Forum members.

·         Any change to the scheme/process would require full consultation with all school governing bodies and would require amendment to the Scheme to be approved by Schools’ Forum members.

RESOLVED (i) That the position of school balances would be reviewed again as part of the annual reporting update presented in summer to Schools’ Forum members relating to the final 2017/18 school balances reported at 31 March 2018 and Local Authority officers to provide overview of claw-back applied/approved.

(ii) That the report be noted.