Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Shan Alexander, Alison Naismith, Danny Pearson, Dawn Strachan and Gillian Stunell.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 October 2013 were approved as a correct record, subject to the name of “Paula Thompson” indicated as being present as an observer be amended to “Paula Thomas”.

To discuss any matters arising.

2013/14 Schools Financial Consultation Document – (Minute 8 of 3 October 2013 refers)

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services reported that the consultation had now ended and following detailed analysis a formal report would be brought to the next meeting of the Forum. This would outline the responses and options and seek a recommendation of the preferred option of Schools Forum for the Local Funding Formula to be put forward to the Council’s Executive Meeting.

There had been an approximate 50% response rate from the Primary sector and early indications outlined a 50/50 split in terms of views relating to the proposal to increase Basic Entitlement or remain with the status quo. There had been a 100% response rate from the Secondary sector with the majority opting for no increase to Special Educational Needs funding and a reduction to the Lump Sum to fund an increase to the Basic Entitlement factor.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education) on the introduction of the Pupil Premium Grant and the impact of Pupil Premium on improved pupil outcomes.

Officer contact Phil Beswick, Tel: 474 3918, email: phil.beswick@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Education) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the introduction of the Pupil Premium Grant and the impact of Pupil Premium (PP) on improved pupil outcomes.

It was highlighted that the gap between children in receipt of free school meals and other children widened as young people went through the education system and it was difficult to determine a national pattern.

It was reported that Stockport had a gap of 34% according to 2012 data with a predicted similar statistic for 2013 and an under registration of 17%. The automatic enrolment for free school meals, which parents/carers had to opt out of, had addressed the under registration issue and had significantly reduced the numbers.

It was commented that the gap began prior to children starting school, the data varied from year to year and the automatic enrolment for free school meals was misleading as parents/carers still had to apply.

It was reported that the Local Authority Benefits Team wrote to eligible parents/carers every six months and there had been a 50% response rate to the latest letter. Schools’ awareness had helped raise figures through being active by writing to parents/carers, including it on their website and in newsletters.

It was confirmed that early intervention was a key driver meaning a difference in monetary values between the Primary and Secondary sectors.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services).

The report provides an update on the 2014/15 construction of the Schools Budget Financed by the dedicated schools grant.

Officer contact Peter Hughes, Tel: 474 3947, email: peter.hughes@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 an update on the 2014/15 construction of the Schools Budget financed by the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

It was highlighted that details of the 2014/15 DSG would be released shortly and a detailed report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Forum.

It was reported that due to new regulations and predicted population bulges a central fund was to be created in 2014/15 to support the secondary sector who may experience financial difficulties relating to short term falling numbers on roll and a final proposal would be submitted at the next meeting of the Forum. In relation to appendix one the “surplus capacity” should read 20%.

It was suggested that the Local Authority (LA) continue to provide a top-up to all schools/converter academies if the notional Special Educational Needs (SEN) budget calculated did not provide a minimum of £6,000 per high need pupil and £750 for all low cost high incidence SEN pupils.

It was reported that the new high needs place-plus funding system introduced in 2013/14 was a significant change from the local funding system which operated in 2012/13 and any amount above £6,000 previously delegated to schools via the local formula had been re-directed to the central high needs budget and automatically became part of any “top-up” arrangements. Current indicative figures suggested a cost pressure on DSG which would need to be managed beyond 2013/14.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Primary and Secondary sector supported de-delegation to the Local Authority (LA) on all six areas as outlined at the table at 3.2 of the report.

(3) That the Secondary sector supported the draft criteria presented (Appendix 1) to be applied to the proposed central fund for schools with falling numbers.

(4) That Forum members support the LA plan to continue to provide “top-up” funding in addition to the Notional SEN budget as proposed at Appendix 2.

(5) That the LA construct the 2014/15 central high needs block funding in accordance with the best available information and making best use of all resources available.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services).

The report provides information on the 2014/15 Local Authority annual pro-forma toolkit return submitted to the Department for Education.

Officer contact Peter Hughes, Tel: 474 3947, email: peter.hughes@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 information on the 2014/15 Local Authority (LA) annual pro-forma toolkit return submitted to the Department for Education.

It was highlighted that the “capping” applied to gaining schools had been set at 0% and would be scaled accordingly and that there would be no additional factors for 2014/15. New regulations relating to pupil growth meant that the LA could only allocate additional in-year pupil growth funding to schools which were part of the LA’s planned growth/school re-organisation programme. A report detailing the proposed new criteria to be applied from 2014/15 would be submitted at the next meeting of the Forum. It was confirmed that the new criteria would also be applied to Academies.

Clarification was sought and provided on the impact of successful appeals via the Independent Appeals Panel. It was confirmed that schools needed to demonstrate they were in financial difficulty resulting from the granting of appeals by the Independent Appeals Panel in order to utilise the central block of the Dedicated Schools Grant.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services).

The report provides details of the “Schools Forums Operational and Good Practice Guide” released by the Department for Education.

Officer contact Peter Hughes, Tel: 474 3947, email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk   

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the “Schools Forums Operational and Good Practice Guide” released by the Department for Education.

The guide was organised into two sections and a full copy was available via the web link at 2.3 of the report. Peter Hughes would ensure that copies were distributed to all Academies.

It was reported that there were a number of areas to update which included the election to vacancies, substitutions and a more formalised induction programme.  In addition, the use of name plates and voting cards, voting guidelines and distributing post meeting information to wider stakeholders. Positive aspects and areas of good practice currently in operation in Stockport were also outlined at section 4.5 of the report.

It was confirmed that Pam Campbell (Werneth High School) would fill the Secondary Headteacher vacancy and that the Primary Governor vacancy needed to be filled. It was suggested that for the Secondary sector a member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team could substitute for a Schools Forum Headteacher member and that a Headteacher should substitute for the Primary sector.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the new Terms of Reference be updated to include detail of a formal induction programme to be provided to all new members of the forum.

(3) That substitutions be permitted in line with the feedback received from forum representatives; and

(4) That Local Authority officers update the Terms of Reference and present a formal report at the next meeting of the Forum as to any other operational aspects to be implemented in line with identified best practice.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services).

The report provides an update on the schedule of meetings for the 2013/14 academic year.

Officer contact Peter Hughes, Tel: 474 3947, email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk  

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which gave an update on the schedule of meetings for the 2013/14 academic year.

It was suggested that the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be invited to a future meeting of Schools Forum to give an update on the Corporate and Support Services Review.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be invited to a future meeting of Schools Forum.

The Chair informed members that this was Damian Cunningham’s last meeting and he was thanked for his work and contribution to Schools Forum.

The Chair encouraged members to begin thinking about a new Chair for Schools Forum as his term of office would end in August 2014.

To agree the date of the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday 21 January 2014.

RESOLVED – That the next meeting be held on Tuesday 21 January 2014 at the ICT Centre, Kingsway School, Broadway Campus with an optional question and answer session on reports to be held prior to the commencement of the meeting at 3:45pm.