Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th December 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 5 December 2012 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and Officers are invited to declare any interest which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Services to People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the outcomes of the annual consultation on admission arrangements at all maintained schools and academies in the Borough including potential changes to catchment areas for 2014/15 and school terms and holiday dates for 2013/14.

RESOLVED – That, following consideration of the results of the admissions consultation, the Forum support the recommendations of the Local Authority as detailed in the report.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Services to People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the process for the assessment and processing of applications for Free School Travel for Stockport residents and outlining the procedure for appeals against decisions of the Local Authority to refuse an application for Free School Travel.

It was reported that a process for the review of decisions of the Local Authority in respect of Free School Travel had previously been established.  The provision of a further internal right of appeal builds upon this safeguard and provides an effective, appropriate and robust mechanism for parents to address any concerns they have about decisions in this area to an independent panel.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Services to People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the allocation of secondary school places for September 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Services to People requested that the Forum give consideration to its membership, with particular regard to the potential for academies operating within the Borough being allocated a member.

RESOLVED  - That the Corporate Director for Services to People be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of the Forum detailing any proposed changes that may be necessary to the membership of the Forum to reflect the changing nature of education in the Borough.