Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Reverend Alan Bell, Janice Cahill,  Sister Patricia Goodstat, Walter Grundy, Ian Roberts, Gillian Stunell and Andrew Webb.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2012

The minutes (copies of which have been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 May 2012  were approved as a correct record.

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services, reported that the template for Pupil Premium Grant reports had been shared with all schools via Office On-Line.

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services, submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) detailing the total school balances position recorded as at 31 March 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services, submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) informing the Forum of the recent consultation by the DfE, the key considerations were outlined, the context for Stockport and the response submitted by the Local Authority.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         14% of Stockport schools had not met the Financial Management Standard in Schools (FMSiS). This was above the national average but may be due to schools not being externally tested rather than actually failing the assessment.

·         The Local Authority has outlined as part of its consultation response that any school that does not complete the self-assessment as per the new regulations should be challenged, otherwise the whole system would be undermined.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services,  submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) providing the final 2011/12 out-turn position of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). In relation to section 4.7 of the report and the deployment of the budget surplus, rationale was provided for the education initiatives the Corporate Director Service to People had approved.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         As this was a one off lump sum it would not be used for on-going costs. However, it is hoped that by the LA providing initial funding for such schemes, that in the future schools will provide further investment to maintain.

·         Funding for summer schools is provided through the Pupil Premium Grant already, however the funding provided by the budget surplus could expand the topics covered by these schemes.

·         Funding would be made available for Primary schools which would give staff access to the SIMS software remotely. If schools found this of value then they could purchase licenses in future years.

·         Access to Capita One was to be made available to the PVI Sector

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services,  submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) updating the Forum on the level of school reserves held in relation to insurance schemes that were administered by the Local Authority. The Forum was invited to discuss and determine how these reserves should be used.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that the funds could be used to help meet increasing ICT costs.

·         It was confirmed that both Voluntary Aided and Academy schools would be included in the distribution.

·         If the Forum chose for this money to be allocated to school capital funds then it would be at the LA’s discretion if this were to be distributed to all schools or focused on priority repairs.

RESOLVED (1) That the report be noted

(2) That £0.180m relating to the BoR Insurance be earmarked for risk management investment and a report be prepared for the next meeting.

(2) That the balance of reserves identified as available be re-distributed to schools on the basis of a lump sum of £1,000 to each school and the remaining funds be distributed on the basis of January 2011 pupil numbers thereafter.

(3) That the Forum supports the proposal to re-distribute any future year surpluses generated from such schemes to ONLY the schools in the insurance scheme(s).

A representative of the Corporate Director Service to  People submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) informing the Forum of a consultation on changes to the School Forum (England) Regulations 2012. It also presented Forum members with the required measures to implement Option 2 as previously considered by Schools Forum 20 March and 17 May 2012.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Academy and Secondary schools were holding discussions regarding their respective representatives and will report their decision by September.

·         The balance of members between Headteachers and governors is for local determination.

RESOLVED (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That each sector be requested to choose their representatives by September.

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services, submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) providing the Forum with an updated schedule of meetings for the 2012/13 academic year.

RESOLVED (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Forum continues to meet at the Kingsway School (Lower).

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services,  submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) giving details of the next steps of the consultation and requesting from the Forum their views on the options and/or principles for inclusion in the consultation document which will be released to stakeholders in July.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Currently, the quantum pots for each sector are protected so that the ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ are only between schools in the same sector.

·         Concern was expressed that the DfE referral to a ‘fairer system’ had led to an assumption by primary schools that the ratio of funding between sectors would change. It was suggested that the consultation documents should refer to this and explain that this had not been possible.

·         The use of IDACI appeared to have skewed the funding levels between schools and it was proposed that this proxy indicator be removed from the calculations. Schools were of the opinion that neither Ever 6 nor IDACI were reliable proxy indicators by themselves and both should be used.

·         A review of the Virtual School provision for Looked After Children may result in less choice of services to schools. Schools were informed that their response to the Virtual School consultation should be submitted by 13^th July 2012.

·         The DfE has indicated that it regarded £90,000 to be the minimum basic lump sum for each school to cover non pupil related expenses.

·         The primary sector supported de-delegation of all 5 areas. The Secondary sector supported de-delegation of 4 out of 5 areas and the Budget Holder for the Ethnic Diversity Service (EDS) would hold further discussions with the secondary sector to discuss future plans, implications, risks, etc of such decision not to de-delegate.

·         It was suggested that the capping of ‘winners’ be in line with the minimum funding guarantee at 1.5% but the models might not show that there are funds available for this. It was agreed that the cap be placed at 1% and this could be increased if funds were available in each sectors quantum pot.

·         There are 2 primary and 1 secondary schools that are split over two sites.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the quantum pots for each sector be exclusive to that sector.

(3) That the secondary sector supports the ratio of funding between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 staying the same as 2012/13 (i.e. 1:1.23) if there is a choice.

(4) That both proxy indicators (IDACI and FSM Ever 6) be used as part of the formula for deprivation.

(5) That funding for Looked After Children be modelled at a £2,000 lump sum per school.

(6) That a lump of £90,000 for each school be including in all models.

(7) That the 4 models be presented as part of the consultation.

(8) That the capping of ‘winners’ be set at 1% and increased if funds allow.

The Chair informed the Forum that Malcolm Graves and Cathy Lyall have resigned/ended their term as Forum members. On behalf of the Forum, the Chair expressed thanks for their service.

RESOLVED – That the next meeting be held on 11 October 2012 at 4.15pm at Kingsway School (Lower).