Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed members to this meeting of the Schools’ Forum and specifically the new members:

Jo Harrington (St Pauls CE) – new Primary Headteacher rep

Linda Hansen (Reddish Vale) – new Academy rep (who will fill the 3^rd position on the forum in a shared role with Linda Magrath (Laurus Trust)

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Tom Morrison and Damian Cunningham.

To record any observers present.

It was reported that no observers were in attendance.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 October 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To discuss any matters arising.

Item 14 – Schools financial transparency consultation – no news or updates on consultation.

Four DfE consultations were live/outstanding at the point the General Election was announced and purdah became active; as such it is not envisaged any DfE outcomes will be released until spring 2020.

Cllr Foster outlined though he was present at last meeting, he should be recorded as also in attendance section, as he is not a formal Schools’ Forum member.

Card / flowers & fruit were sent to Ian Roberts (previous Chair/Vice Chair) as discussed at last meeting.

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 a general update to Schools on the current and projected financial position of the LTS Scheme as at December 2019. The report also presents to Schools’ Forum the collated results from a recent survey to schools about the LTS CAP so a decision can be made about its inclusion for the forthcoming 2020/2021 SLA period.

The report further provides an update regarding sickness absence analysis and the proposed process changes to the LTS scheme for the 2020/2021 SLA period.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

1.    Note the above report;

2.    Provide agreement to the CAP survey outcome and proposed action.

3.    Note the above proposed process changes to the LTS scheme.

Officer contact: Sarah Cook Tel 0161 474 4030 Email: sarah.cook@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided members with a general update

The following comments were made / raised:

·         An update was provided in relation to the scheme current financial forecast for 2019/20 (i.e. potential £11k surplus at 31 March 2020). Increase to premiums in 2019/20 are standing good.

·         A survey was undertaken recently relating to the capping element of the scheme.

Insurance team proposals for 2020/21 include:

• Continue with capping
• No increase to premiums

·         A new Online system to be introduced from 2020/21 / Pilot schools after Christmas

·         Administrative requirement to be removed re: staff names list

A number of issues were raised by members including:

-       Info sent to SBM’s – should be Head teacher’s

-       No modelling made available on the impact of the cap

-       Issue with part time teachers – how factored into SLA premiums?

-       How many schools did the cap affect in 2018/19?

-       Survey didn’t go out to all schools

RESOLVED (a)        That the report be noted

(b)       School issues as above be raised with Insurance team manager and communication be circulated.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report seeks nominations from Schools’ Forum members for the vacant Vice Chairperson role;

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report;

b)   Seek nominations for the vacant Vice Chairperson role; and (if required)

c)    Agree a formal election process.

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 vacant Vice Chairperson position

Ian Roberts had recently resigned from his post due to ill health and following discussions at the last meeting, information was sent to all members re the role.

Emma Hill (Ladybridge Primary) was nominated for the position by Jo O’Rourke and seconded by Julie Kersh - All members were in agreement

RESOLVED (a)        That the report be noted; and

(b)       Emma Hill was duly elected as the new Vice Chairperson

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members details of the ministerial announcement released on 31 October 2019 relating to Early Years funding.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report.

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 latest information regarding Early Years Funding

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Base rate increase not recognised in Nursery Schools

·         £0.08p pitiful increase – can this be fed back to DfE

Resolved (a) - That the report be noted.

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.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with updates of the 2020/21 budget setting process in relation to the total Schools Budget predominantly financed by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report;

b)   Offer any comments/views where outlined;

c)    Approve the proposed central reserve at £0.450m (section 5.7);

d)   Determine the final de-delegation decisions for 2020/21 (section 5.9 – primary and secondary maintained reps only); and

e)    Approve the proposed CSSB resource budget allocations for 2020/21 (section 6.4 and Appendix 3)

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 construction of the 2020/21 budget information.

A representative of the Borough Treasuer gave an overview of the key aspects of the report and the construction of each block within the DSG Schools Budget and the differences/updates to the recent/latest DfE figures issued.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

• The extra pupils (22) at Castle Hill from Sept 2020 – happen every year or just one-off? – Unknown at this point in time.
• Will placing the pupils at Castle Hill save money? – Yes
• How much money does the LA spend on out of area provision? - £4.5m on approx. 130 pupils
• Secondary HT’s – work that Bev is doing is really positive but still don’t know how this work will stop future block transfer requests?
• Primary HT – support children with complex needs but not getting enough funding;
• Struggling to meet the needs of vulnerable children / not getting fair share of HN block to help schools

A representative of the Borough Treasurer provided an update on the DSG review and the key pieces of work currently being undertaken.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Officers outlined the next steps planned and the timeline of activity (i.e. the final report to Cabinet in February 2020) and further updates/reports to Schools’ Forum members at the January 2020 meeting.

·         Inclusions & Outcomes - pilot re: Stockport Enhanced Learning Fund (ELF) Scheme – report to be provided to SEND Group in January 2020

·         Special School bandings / profiling Resourced Provision pupils

·         Further works to be undertaken with Early Years and Post-16 provision

Timescales:

·         Gathering data – end of December 2019

·         Report available – end of January 2020

·         Cabinet meeting – planned for 13 March 2020, any delays/issues would mean next available Cabinet meeting be June 2020 (due to purdah relating to Local Elections in May)

Survey to be provided to schools early January 2020 on Speech & Language

RESOLVED  (a)       That the report be noted;

                        (b)       Members approved the Central Reserve at £0.450m;

(c)        De-Delegation for Primary and Secondary sector confirmed as “status quo” for 2020/21;

(d)       Members approved the CSSB allocations as per Appendix 3

(e)       Members approved the methodology to be applied to any available “headroom” monies as per section 5.10

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides School’s Forum members with update on the excessive surplus balance control mechanism applied for 2018/19; and further provides an update on the cumulative position of the process applied since re-introduction following Schools’ Forum request/agreement.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report; and

b)   Offer any further comments

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 2018/19 excessive surplus balance process outcomes.

Castle Hill monies – To be returned to school to be used as part of LA investment re: capacity issue

2 other school appeals currently being considered by Director

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 2019/20 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 academic year meeting dates provided.

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 details of the calendar dates of the meetings agreed for the 2019/20 academic year. 

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Schools Forum Members were informed that the January 2020 meeting is to be held on a Tuesday rather than Thursday

RESOLVED (a) – That the report be noted.

To discuss any other business.

No further business was discussed.

The next meeting of the Schools Forum will take place on Tuesday 21 January 2020.