Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Peter Maloney, Lesley Abercrombie, Sister Patricia Goodstat, Simon Finch, Walter Grundy and Lyn Merillion.

To approve a a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2012.

The minutes (copies of which have been circulated) of the meeting held on 20 March 2012 were approved as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising

The Secondary Headteachers representatives proposed at the previous meeting that they would discuss with their consortium the proposed changes to the Schools Forum constitution. The Secondary Headteachers had raised concerns in respect to the proposed reduction in the number of representatives for their sector, however, it was confirmed that Option B would be their preference. Donna Sager was asked to submit a note to the next meeting indicating how this could be progressed 

A template for the Annual Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) Report to Parents had been produced as requested by School Forum members and would be circulated to schools. It was confirmed that schools did not have to use the template but they did have a statutory duty to report on PPG expenditure from September 2012.

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) providing a detailed overview of plans to simplify school funding arrangements from April 2013 following the release of the latest DfE consultation document including a proposed response.

RESOLVED – That the proposed response as detailed in the report be submitted on behalf of the Schools Forum.

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) outlining the proposed approach to tackling the changes requested to local schools funding arrangements following the DfE’s announcement on school funding reform released in March 2012. A new funding formula must be decided on by October 2012.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Whether or not the Pupil Referral Unitswould have a place on the Schools Forum after proposed changes were implemented.

·         The Pupil Referral Unit was used for support to sick children who needed educational support  but this does not seem to be covered in the DfE proposals.

·         The national guidance indicates that Funding for Advanced Skills Teachers (AST’s) must be delegated to schools from April 2013, schools would have the option to implement local “de-pooling” arrangements if they wished to support and continue the current collaborative working arrangements.

·         Either of the proposed funding approaches (limited or fuller) had the potential for significant changes at a school level. If the formula was shown not to be affordable, then either factors can be downsized or a cap could be placed on the ‘winners’.

·         The consultation period in relation to the latest planned reforms ended on the 21^st May 2012 and the outcomes are due from the Dfe in June. Such outcomes may include specific statutory requirement to allocated a specific level of funding via the basic entitlement formula factor.

·         Proposals for changes to Early Years funding within the consultation were minimal and would have very little impact upon the current EYSFF adopted in Stockport.

·         The current ratio for Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU) figures between primary and secondary sectors is 1:35 based on all funding received by schools and may need to change to reflect the proposed reforms.

·         A representative of the Corporate Director for People would be meeting with Head Teachers and Governors in June 2012 to discuss the proposals. Workshops on the local consultation document would be held in the last two weeks of the Summer term and the first two weeks of the Autumn term for these groups.

RESOLVED – (1) That a representative of the Corporate Director for People be requested to confirm the future position of the PRU Sector on the Forum and how the provision of education for sick children is covered in the DfE proposals.

(2) That the Forum supports the ‘Ever 6’ model to be used for distributing deprivation funding.

(3) That the Forum members will discuss with their sector colleagues the “Delegation v De-Delegation” options and feedback to LA officers ahead of the next forum meeting.

(4) That the detailed analysis of the four modelling options discussed with Forum members be undertaken by Schools Finance officers and presented back to Forum at the next meeting for further deliberation.

(5) That the Forum members support the idea of joint workshop sessions be arranged in June for Head teachers and Governors by Schools Finance to update all colleagues on the full National Schools Funding Reforms planned for April 2013.

(6) That the Forum recommends that a ‘winners cap’ be used in relation to the Minimum Funding Guarantee.

(7) That Forum members acknowledge and support that the local consultation document on the new proposed formula must take place over the school summer holiday period in order to comply with the Dfe requirements and timeline.

(8) That Forum members recommend that Schools Finance officers facilitate workshops in both July and September for all Head teachers and Governors on the local consultation document.

With the consent of the Chair this item was withdrawn.

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) giving an updated schedule of meetings for the 2011-12 academic year. It was discussed that neither the Chair or Vice Chair were available if the next meeting was to be held on Thursday 28^th June 2012.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted

(2) That the next meeting of the Forum be held on Wednesday 27^th June 2012

There were no other items of business to be considered.

Standard Meeting – Thursday 28^th June 2012, 4.15pm

Funding Reform Meeting – To Be Agreed

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 27^th June 2012 at 4.15pm at the Kingsway School (lower).