Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Tropez Martin, Malcolm Graves, Councillor Ann Smith, Councillor Stuart Bodsworth Patricia Goodstadt, Terry Conlon, Andrew Webb and Damian Cunningham.

The Minutes (copies of which were presented at the meeting) of the meeting held on 20 September 2011 were approved as a correct record.

In the report of item 10 at the last meeting, it was stated that the excess balances held at two schools were to be challenged further by the LA. The process has now been completed and following assessment of school information submitted, no claw-back of funds will take place.

At the last meeting it was discussed that all services funded from within the retained schools budget (RSB) block would be reviewed, detailed information was presented of phase one of the review at the last meeting and the LA requested school sector representative share and discuss with their colleagues and feedback. The following feedback was given by the sectors represented on the Forum:-

• Secondary Headteachers - on principle all LA services should be provided on a SLA basis. SEN, Primary Jigsaw (if primary headteachers felt it was appropriate) and 14-19 provision should be retained centrally by the LA for 2012-13 only.  3 year SLAs are probably too long, 1 or 2 years would be more appropriate.
• Primary Headteachers - took a strategic view and did not just look at own areas. Three grants should stay central - EMAG, School Intervention and SEN, all others should be bought back through a SLA and be subject to SLAs of 2 years max. Primary Jigsaw is valued but would prefer to have an SLA for this and buy back.
• Nursery Headteachers - felt that primary jigsaw would be part of buy back, had no opinion on 14-19 provision and SEN should be buy back.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Forum considered a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the response that was submitted on behalf of the Forum regarding the schools funding reform consultation. The outcomes of this consultation may be available by the end of the autumn term and if so they will be reported back in the December meeting (please see item 8).

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

The Forum considered a report (copies of which had been circulated) which outlined the Schools Financial consultation document for this year. Section 6 of the report details the LA action plan in response to issues arising from last year’s consultation. The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• School governors do not always get the same communication as the schools however they have received information on the consultation as part of their briefing note. It will be a decision for the chair of governors to make if a special meeting to discuss the consultation is necessary.
• An email detailing the consultation will go out to all head teachers and all chair of governors. This will also include Heads of Service in the LA directorate. The documents will be available on Office Online.

All proposed amendments are highlighted in red and a local authority context/overview for each proposal is provided.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Forum considered a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a schedule of meetings for the 2011-12 academic year.

RESOLVED – (1) The Schools Forum meetings for the academic year 2011-12 be held as follows:-

NB: The December 2011 meeting is optional at present, subject to the timing and requirements emanating from central government spend review announcements made in relation to the 2012-13 financial year.

(2) No additional reports were requested by Forum members for the December meeting.

Richard Bates, Service Director Education reported that Nick Higgins has met with head teachers of nursery schools to discuss the options open to them with regards to the Virtual School. A more detailed paper will be coming to the Forum on funding.

There is still a vacancy for a secondary governor. This needs to be a governor from a maintained or non- voluntary aided school. No volunteers have come forward so far. It is requested that members of the Forum and GOVAS discuss with appropriate candidates.

As discussed in item 8, the Forum will meet 8^th December 2011, 4.15pm at Kingsway School (Lower), if it is needed.

The meeting closed at 4.55 pm.