Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the consultation responses received in relation to the Local Authority (LA) consultation on a 2020/21 proposed 0.5% transfer from the schools’ block.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report;

b)    Discuss further and offer any further comments as appropriate; and

c)    Determine if the LA proposal to transfer 0.5% (estimated at £0.904m) of the schools’ block funding is approved.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Telephone 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 schools financial consultation responses regarding the movement of monies between funding blocks.

A discussion took place relating to the proposed 0.5% transfer, statutory requirements to consult with all schools and the approval required from Schools’ Forum

The following comments were made/issues raised:

• SEND funding levels for 2020/21

The matter of recording the formal Schools’ Forum vote was deferred until the next agenda item was presented; as this would then provide all members with the latest update on the current 2019/20 budget position and the construction of the 2020/21 Total Schools Budget.

Following discussion of Agenda Item 11, the meeting then referred back to the previous item of the consultation on the proposed 0.5% transfer (estimated at £0.904m) of 2020/21 schools’ block funding to the high needs and/or central school services block.

Discussion, questions and debate in relation to specific aspects of the above report matters or other relevant questions raised by members.

The Chairperson then requested members formally record their vote in relation to the LA proposal:

Vote for Schools Block Transfer:

Support of transfer – 10

Against transfer – 9 (inclusive of Jon Roper vote who had to leave to attend another event)

Abstentions - 1

RESOLVED (a) - The proposed LA transfer of 0.5% of schools’ block funding was approved.