Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed members to the meeting of the Forum and introductions were made.

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Jon Roper, Emma Hill and Eleanor Losse.

To record any observers present.

There were no observers present.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 July 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To discuss any matters arising.

There were no matters arising.

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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools Forum with an update on the current and projected financial position of the LTS scheme.

Schools Forum Members are requested to:

     I.        Note the report

    II.        Support the Local Authority proposal for an additional midterm charge to be levied on schools.

  III.        Agree the way the additional charge should be calculated based on the three proposed options.

  IV.        Note and accept that an increase in premiums for the 2019/2020 policy year will be necessary.

Officer contact: Sarah Cook on 011 474 4030 or email: sarah.s.cook@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with an update on the current and projected financial position of the LTS scheme.

The report outlined the key issue of the overspend position on the scheme across 2016/17 and 2017/18 years and the expected continuation of such in 2018/19 based on the half year review.  The report also outlined a number of options to recover the shortfall and plans to increase premiums from 2019/20 to avoid replication in future.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) It was agreed to seek to recover only the 2017/18 reserve repayment and 2018/19 projected overspend totalling £0.283m and Schools’ Forum members indicated a preference for option 3.

(iii) The Local Authority Insurance team to inform schools of final decision and action in-year charge to schools.

To consider a report for the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with further information on the legislation covering the renewal, or non-renewal, of fixed term or temporary contracts and also information on tribunal proceedings associated with these contracts.

Schools Forum Members are asked to:

     I.        Note the report

    II.        Follow the advice given by HR and Legal providers when establishing and seeking to terminate fixed term contracts to prevent legal action being taken against the school; and

  III.        Review the situation at their individual schools then seek advice to reduce or remove any potential claims.

Officer contact:  Kathy Heaton Tel 0161 218 1436 Email: Kathy.heaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with further information on the legislation covering the renewal, or non-renewal, of fixed term or temporary contracts and also information on tribunal proceedings associated with those contracts.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A short discussion took place relating to some practical situations, for example, a SEN Teaching Assistant supporting a child for seven years and thus exceeding the 4 year threshold entitling them to permanent status.

·         A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services outlined key aspects of the law and how if such information or advice is ignored it can have serious ramifications.

·         The importance of the correct wording within a contract was stressed.  For example, if a child leaves the school or the needs of the child change, then this can be specifically written into the contract.  Help and advice on this can be obtained from Human Resources.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Local Authority provide guidance documents on this subject to schools.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the Terms of Reference (ToR) document and proposed amendments and with a membership update.

Schools’ Forum Members are asked to:

     I.        Note the report

    II.        Accept the ToR document as per Appendix 2

  III.        Note the latest membership listing and Terms of Office as per Appendix 3

  IV.        Endorse the Chair of Forum writes to all representatives highlighted at Appendix 4 to seek explanation of non-attendance at meetings in the 2017/18 academic year

   V.        Offer any comments to the proposed letter to be issued as above provided at Appendix 5

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Tel 0161 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 details of the Terms of Reference (ToR) document and proposed amendments and with a membership update.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A representative of the Borough Treasurer advised Schools’ Forum members that the Updated Operational and Good Practice Guide had only been received from the Department of Education (DofE) the day before the meeting.

·         School membership allocations to primary/secondary and academies should remain as they are, as agreed allocations should not be based on pupil numbers including sixth form pupils.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the updated (DofE) guidance be circulated.

(iii) The Membership list be updated and

(iv) The information contained within Appendix 4 relating to non-attendance at the Forum was endorsed and the Chairperson’s letter to be distributed as proposed.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with the details of the latest information released by the Department for Education (DfE0 regarding all local authorities 2018/19 schools local formula funding models implemented.

Schools Forum members are requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Tel 0161 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 details of the latest information released by the DfE regarding all local authorities 2018/19 schools’ local formula funding models implemented.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the indicative 2019/20 Schools Funding arrangements as released by the Department for Education (DfE) on 24 July 2018.

Schools’ Forum members are requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Tel 0161 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 details of the indicative 2019/20 Schools Funding arrangements as released by the DfE on 24 July 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 2019/20 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline.  The report also provides an opportunity to discuss the local options available relating to the construction of the 2019/20 total Schools Budget financed via deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

Schools Forum members are asked to:

     I.        Note the report

    II.        Support the Local Authority plans relating to schools local funding formula as detailed at section 5.5

  III.        Discuss with wider sector colleagues (primary and secondary only), the de-delegation options as per section 5.6

  IV.        Offer any comments in relation to early years as per section 6.

   V.        Give a view on the proposed transfer of funding as per section 9

  VI.        Note the proposed timeline.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Tel 0161 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 members with details of the 2019/20 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline.  The report also provided an opportunity to discuss the local options available relating to the construction of the 2019/20 total Schools Budget financed via deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum raised the issue of the split site factor for secondary schools.  In response, Members were advised that the split site remained one of the elements the DfE had not yet addressed as part of the NFF model and therefore any local review would be subject to further information from the department.

·         Schools Forum Members endorsed the Local Authority plan to propose no amendments for 2019/20 local funding formula and re-assess options for the now known third year of the ‘soft’ NFF model closer to 2020/21.

RESOLVED – (i) To note the report.

(ii) Schools’ Forum members to discuss ‘De-Delegation’ aspects with wider colleagues and report back to the Schools Forum in December 2018.

To consider a verbal report of the Borough Treasurer.

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 presented a verbal report which advised Members of the latest position on the DSG review update.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Apologies were given for the fact that the table at Section 3.1 of the report had not been updated with information and an amendment as agreed at the last meeting of the Schools’ Forum relating to the January meeting.  This should now read Tuesday 22 January 2018.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That an additional meeting of the Schools’ Form will take place on Thursday 22 November 2018 to discuss outstanding matters.

To discuss any other business.

No further business was discussed.