Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Members to this virtual meeting of the Schools Forum.

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

No apologies for absence were received.

To record any observers present.

There were no observers present.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 9 June 2020 were approved as a correct record.

To discuss any matters arising.

There were no matters arising.

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.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details/access to the updated Schools’ Forum (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.

Schools’ Forum is recommended to note the report.

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/access to the updated Schools’ Forum (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the findings from the 20 schools audited in the 2019/20 financial year.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report;

b)   Offer any comments; and

c)    Share with their wider school/sector colleagues

Officer contact: John Pearsall on 0161 474 4033 or email: john.pearsall@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 findings from the 20 schools audited in the 2019/20 financial year.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum queried whether the reports would be available to everyone so that lessons could be learned.  In response, Members were advised that the reports were available on office online.

·         A short discussion took place relating to signatories on school accounts.  Members of the Forum were advised that they were free to get in touch with the audit team at any time who could provide advice and support on these kinds of matters.

·         Some Members of the Forum felt that it was often practical help rather than theoretical help which was the most useful.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with an update on the level of school reserves held in relation to insurance schemes that are administered by the Local Authority (LA).

Schools Forum members are asked to

a)    Note the above report;

b)   Give a view on the LA proposals as per section 3.12 above; and

c)    Offer any further 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 an update on the level of school reserves held in relation to Insurance Schemes that are administered by the Local Authority (LA).

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum queried whether schools would get any money back.  In response, the Forum was advised that all excess monies generated above the recommended reserve level (i.e. contingency) are considered for re-distribution to schools each year (see section 3.12 of report).

·         It was felt that the impact of this on some individual schools could be huge.  The Forum also raised concerns that if some schools left the scheme, it could become unviable for those that remain.  The Forum was assured that all the work that that is done in this area is not for profit and the LA aims to be as flexible as possible.  In addition, any credit at the outturn position would be used for schools’ benefit.

·         Members of the Forum expressed that they would appreciate more clarity from the Insurance Team as to whether schools would be covered if staff contracted COVID-19, especially in relation to those staff who may also have longer term health issues.  Some staff may only be able to return to work where social distancing can be guaranteed, this would not be possible in a nursery situation for example.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

                        (ii) That the LA proposals at section 3.12 in the report be                  approved.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with detail of the final 2019/20 Total Schools’ Budget reported outturn position.

Schools Forum members are asked to

a)    Note the above report.

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 final 2019/20 Total Schools’ Budget reported outturn position.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with the final detailed analysis of the total school balances position recorded as at 31 March 2020.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a) Note the above report; and

b) Approve the LA proposal to defer implementation of the “excessive” school surplus balance control mechanism for 2019/20 year-end school balances.

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 the final detailed analysis of the total school balances position recorded as at 31 March 2020.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members questioned when the proposed control mechanism would be deferred until.  In response, the Forum was advised that it would just be this year.  In addition, rather than clawing back monies it may be necessary for the Local Authority to draw down on historic reserves.

RESOLVED  (i)         That the report be noted.

(ii)        That the Local Authority proposal to defer implementation of the ‘excessive’ school surplus balance control mechanism for 2019/20 year end school balances be approved.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the new School

and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2020 which came into force

from 21 February 2020.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a) Note the above report; and

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 new School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2020 which came into force from 21 February 2020.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The Forum was reminded that a hyperlink to a full set of the regulations was available on the government web-site, which could be accessed via the following link: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/83/made

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with the final details of the construction of the 2020/21 Total Schools Budget predominantly financed by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report; and

b)   Offer any further 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 the final details of the construction of the 2020/21 Total Schools Budget predominantly financed by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a verbal report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The verbal report updates Schools’ Forum members on the dedicated schools grant (DSG) review. 

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

      i.        Note the report

    ii.        Offer any further comments

Officer contact Bev Milway on 0161 218 1785 or email: bev.milway@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a verbal report which  updated Schools’ Forum members on the dedicated schools grant (DSG) review.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         All schools who had taken part in the review process were thanked for their ongoing support and cooperation.

·         There would be no consultation during school holidays.

·         It was hoped that a number of workshops would be held during the first week of the school term. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To discuss any other business.

A question was raised in relation to the removal of funding for free school travel to denominational schools.  This would be investigated and an update email would be distributed.

It was reported that Mr Jon Roper, Head Teacher of All Saints Primary School was retiring at the end of the current term and would therefore no longer be a Member of Schools Forum.

The Chair of the Forum thanked Mr Roper for his hard work and considerable contribution to the work of the Forum.

The next meeting of Schools’ Forum will take place on 8 October 2020.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the calendar dates of meetings agreed for the 2020/21 academic year.

The report also provides Schools’ Forum members with the opportunity to request reports for future meetings and/or make amendments to the forward planner (Appendix 1). The report provides Schools’ Forum members with the opportunity to request any items for training/development sessions.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

I. Note the above report;

II. Request any reports for future meetings;

III. Note the academic year meeting dates provided.

IV. Discuss and propose any amendments to the forward planner; and

V. Request any items for training/development sessions.

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

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing members with dates of meetings for the 2020/21 academic year.

RESOLVED – That dates of future meetings be agreed as follows:-