Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed members to the meeting of the Forum and introductions were made.  Anne Trafford, Chair of Alexandra Park was welcomed to her first meeting of the Forum as a new Primary Governor Representative.

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Eleanor Losse and Jeanette Braithwaite.

To record any observers present.

It was reported that the following was in attendance as an observer:

Emma Morton                       -           Schools Finance Team

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 6 December 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To discuss any matters arising.

A brief update was provided in relation to the Council’s MTFP process.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with an executive summary report of the business matters included on the main agenda.

Schools’ Forum is recommended to note the executive summary and offer any views, comments and feedback to be considered for future executive summary reports.

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 the Forum with an executive summary of the business matters on the agenda.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2019/20 Schools Funding Settlement released on 17 December 2018 by the Department for Education (DfE).

Schools’ Forum Members are requested to note the report.

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 2019/20 Schools Funding Settlement released on 17 December 2018 by the Department for Education (DfE).

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         As part of the discussion, a representative of the Borough Treasurer outlined to members of the Forum the key elements of the report that related to the financial settlement announced last term. 

·         A few key areas were discussed by the Forum including PE and Sports Grant, Additional Capital funding and the Free School Meals Supplementary Grant.

RESOLVED (i) that the report be noted

(ii) Officers to follow up any information that may be available relating to the PE and Sports Grant 2019.

(ii) Schools’ Forum members to be provided with information relating to Additional Capital funding and whether voluntary aided schools will still need to contribute 10%.

(iv) Schools to be provided with the detail of the FSM supplementary grant calculation.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the Final 2019/20 Local Authority (LA) annual pro-forma toolkit (APT) return to be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE).

Schools Forum members are asked to

             I.        Note the above report; and

            II.        Offer any further 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 2019/20 Local Authority (LA) annual pro-forma toolkit (APT) return to be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE).

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A short discussion took place relating to the impact of reducing the SEN prior attainment factor funding value due to the increase in the number of pupils now eligible for such funding.

·         Members commented that this would have a serious impact on schools’ ability to meet the needs of children who were significantly falling behind.

·         In response, Members of the Forum were advised that draft budgets would be issued to schools the following day (Wednesday 23 January 2019) to inform and assist schools with budget planning.  Final budgets would be issued in February 2019 once Cabinet approval had be gained and DfE compliance/regulation checks had been completed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with a further update on the 2019/20 budget setting process for the total Schools’ Budget predominantly financed by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG);

Schools Forum members are asked to:

             I.        Note the above report;

            II.        Offer any further comments on individual areas; and

          III.        Formally approve the individual resource budget allocations in the central school services block as per the table at section 7.4.

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 a further update of the 2019/20 budget setting process for the total Schools’ Budget predominantly financed by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG);

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         During discussion of the report, a representative of the Borough Treasurer specifically referred to the high needs block update in light of the additional funding provided within the Schools Funding Settlement (i.e. £125m nationally in 18/19 and 19/20).  The report (section 6) outlined the current budget position, Local Authority plans and the decision not to revisit the formerly agreed 0.5% transfer from the schools’ block for 2019/20.

RESOLVED (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) Schools’ Forum members formally approved the individual resource budget allocations for services/activities in the central school services block as per the table at section 7.4

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the new Schools and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2018 (No.2) which came into force from 7 December 2018.

Schools’ Forum Members are asked to note the report.

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 new Schools and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2018 (No 2) which came into force from 7 December 2018.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the calendar dates of meetings agreed for the 2018/19 academic year.

The report also provides Schools’ Forum members with the opportunity to request reports for future meetings and/or make amendments to the forward planner (Appendix 1).

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with the opportunity to request any items for training/development sessions.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

                  I.        Note the above report;

                II.         Request any reports for future meetings;

               III.        Note the 2018/19 academic year meeting dates provided at section 3.1 above;

              IV.        Discuss and propose any amendments to the forward planner; and

                V.        Request any items for training/development sessions.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Tel 474 3947 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 the opportunity to request reports for future meetings and/or amendments to the forward planner.  The report also provided Schools Forum members with the opportunity to request any items for training/development sessions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To discuss any other business.

Schools’ Forum members were advised of the following information relating to the Terms of Reference and Membership of the Forum.

·         Early years and Academy (3^rd representative) vacancies still exist.

·         Tony Martin (Primary Governor) has agreed to start a new tenure from January 2019, and

·         Jon Roper (Primary Headteacher) term of office ends in February 2019.  Jon will liaise with the Primary Head Consortium to determine whether to commence a further tenure or be replaced by a new representative.

In relation to Healthy Pupils Capital Funding (HPCF), Schools’ Forum members were informed that following discussions at previous meetings relating to Local Authority plans/deployment of funds, officers were now investigating further options and a formal report had been deferred and would be presented to Schools Forum in due course (hopefully the March 2019 meeting).