Agenda and minutes

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

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Anne Rogowski, Karen Southwick, Terry Conlon, Kathleen Hopkins and David Meller.

To record any observers present.

It was reported that Emma Johnstone and Sara Cooper from the Local Authority Schools Finance team were in attendance as observers.

In addition, Nick Bennett, School Business Manager at St James High School was also in attendance as an observer.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 May 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To discuss any matters arising.

A representative of the Borough Treasurer provided an email update (26 May 2017) to all Schools Forum members in relation to the administrative cost increase query raised relating to school insurance schemes provided to schools as per item 9 in the minutes.

Furthermore, the additional DfE information relating to the construction and values assigned to the local funding formula models of the other 150 Local Authorities across the country was circulated to members further to item 11 of the last meeting.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools Forum members with an executive summary report of the business matters included on the main agenda.

Schools Forum is recommended to note the executive summary and offer any views, comments and feedback to be considered for future executive summary reports.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided the Forum with an executive summary of the business matters on the agenda.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report from the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools Forum members with an update on School places/capacity and Capital programme.

Schools Forum is asked to note the report.

Officer contact: Stephen Bell on 0161 474 3846 or email: stephen.bell@ stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools Forum members with an update on school places capacity and the capital programme.

The report outlined the key pressure points in the Borough (i.e. Marple and the Heatons) in relation to the provision of school places and provided a further update on the £25m capital investment secured to address both capacity and condition needs of schools in the very near future.  A formal working group will be established shortly with representatives of all key stakeholder groups to identify options and discuss Local Authority plans in more detail.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Schools Forum members questioned what the position was for children with learning disabilities or for those requiring more emotional support.  In response members were advised that this remained one of the most pressing challenges.

·         The Executive Member for Education thanked everyone for their support and emphasised that there are still huge challenges to be faced.

·         Questions were raised regarding how schools and governing bodies could have confidence in how the additional funds would be spent, and a discussion took place around how this could potentially be managed.  It was agreed that the most urgent needs would be addressed first and that there would be high level scrutiny across all parties.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools Forum members with details of the Terms of Reference (ToR) document and proposed amendment(s);

To provide Schools Forum members with a membership update; and

To discuss / determine any further actions required.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report; and

b)   Approve the proposed amendment (red typo) to the ToR document (as per section 3.3 above / Appendix 2);

c)    Note the latest membership listing and Terms of Office as per Appendix 3;

d)   Endorse the Chair of Forum writes to all representatives highlighted at Appendix 4 to seek explanation of non-attendance at meetings in the 2016/17 academic year; and

e)    Offer any comments to the proposed letter to be issued as above provided at Appendix 5.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided members with details of the Terms of Reference document and the proposed amendments.

An update was provided on the latest membership changes not included in the report, i.e. that the Vale View Headteacher was the new primary Headteacher member representing resourced provision schools. 

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The proposed changes to the Terms of Reference document and the non-attendance letter were discussed and accepted.

RESOLVED - (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Borough Treasurer contact the Academies and Governance team in relation to the current Academy sector and Secondary Governor vacancies.

(iii) That the Borough Treasurer update the Terms of Reference document and Membership details.

(iv) That the Borough Treasurer issue the non-attendance letter on behalf of the Chairperson to the members as identified in Appendix 4.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2018/19 Schools funding arrangements following the ministerial announcement by Justine Greening (Education Secretary) in July 2017.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report; and

b)   Offer any comments.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools Forum members with details of the 2018/19 Schools funding arrangements following the ministerial announcement by Justine Greening (Education Secretary) in July 2017.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

To provide Schools’ Forum members with details of the final national funding formula (NFF) models to be used by the Department for Education (DfE) to determine dedicated schools grant (DSG) funding allocations to local authorities from April 2018.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report, and

b)   Offer any comments / views.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 474 3947 or email peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools Forum members with details of the final national funding formula (NFF) models to be used by the Department for Education (DfE) to determine dedicated schools grant (DSG) funding allocations to Local Authorities from April 2018.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To provide Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2018/19 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline.

To discuss the local options available relating to the construction of the 2018/19 total Schools Budget financed via deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report;

b)   Discuss the local schools funding formula options / early years reform requirements and offer any comments;

c)    Determine if a Schools Forum sub-group is required ahead of any consultation with schools;

d)   Give a view on the transfer of block funding;

e)    Note the proposed timeline; and

f)     Offer any further comments.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2018/19 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline.

The report provided further details with cross references back to Agenda Items 9 and 10 and the budget preparation options available to the Local Authority as per section 5 of the report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Schools Forum members felt that a modelling proposal was critical to enable them to understand potential implications.

·         The question of the accuracy of the information relating to free school meals was raised.

·         Some concerns were expressed about those schools that were currently not receiving any deprivation monies.

·         It was agreed that Section 7.3 of the report should be reworded to read ‘that the additional SLA charge assigned to the VA schools for the LA non-statutory element.’

·         Additionally the Diocese representative requested on behalf of the VA schools that such charges for previous years be reimbursed to schools. A representative of the Borough Treasurer outlined that the DfE have supported the Local Authority stance and accept their guidance/regulations had contributed to the ambiguity in this matter and that correcting the matter from April 2018 was acceptable.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) The Local Authority would meet with and present information/options to both the primary and secondary Headteacher consortia groups ahead of the pre-consultation Schools Forum sub-group meetings to be held on Friday 20 October 2017 to discuss and finalise the final consultation proposals/content.

(iii) The Borough Treasurer to facilitate/support the respective PHC/SHC and Schools Forum sub group meetings regarding schools financial consultation proposals.

(iv) Primary and Secondary representatives to discuss the de-delegation options with their wider sector colleagues and report back sector decisions at the next meeting.

(v) The Local Authority to present further updates on all other budget issues (i.e. high needs) at the forthcoming Schools’ Forum meetings.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

To discuss with Schools Forum members the next steps / plans for any Schools Forum sub-groups to address:
• DSG Budget sustainability;
• Special Schools/Resourced Provision top-up funding formula

Schools Forum is asked to note the report.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer provided a verbal report which invited Schools Forum members to discuss the next steps/plans for any Schools Forum sub-groups to address, for example, DSG Budget sustainability and the Special Schools/Resourced Provision top-up funding formula.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To provide Schools’ Forum members with details of the scheduled meetings for the 2017/18 academic year.

To provide Schools’ Forum members with details of the proposed dates for the calendar of meetings in the 2017/18 academic year.

To provide Schools’ Forum members with the opportunity to request reports for future meetings and/or make amendments to the forward planner (Appendix 1).

To provide Schools Forum members the opportunity to request any items for training/development sessions.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

(a)  Note the above report;

(b)  Request any reports for future meetings;

(c)  Discuss and propose any amendments to the forward planner; and

(d)  Request any items for training/development sessions.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the proposed dates for the calendar of meetings in the 2017/18 academic year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To discuss any other business.

No further business was discussed.

The next scheduled meeting of the Schools Forum is 7 December 2017.

The next scheduled meeting of the Schools Forum is 7 December 2017.