Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report updates Schools’ Forum members on the Schools Capital Programme (SCP) for 2018/19 and amendments to the existing programme.

Schools Forum Members are asked to note the report and offer any further comments.

Officer contact: Michelle Booth on 0161 218 1061 or email: michelle.booth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Schools’ Forum members on the Schools Capital Programme (SCP) for 2018/19 and amendments to the existing programme.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum asked whether it was possible to seek reimbursement from any school that received investment in capacity/condition funding should they choose or be forced to convert to Academy status in the future.

·         Members commented that the report focused on primary and secondary basic need/condition requirements but what was the position for the special needs sector?

·         In response, Members were advised that the capital programme investment in primary/secondary places was providing sufficient school places for all Stockport pupils and attempts to address some of the priority condition aspects also.  It was not possible to seek reimbursement of any such costs upon conversion as specified by the regulations and conditions of grant funding which was provided for the whole Stockport Community.

·         The Executive Councillor for Education provided an update in relation to the outcome of Cabinet meeting discussions earlier this week, which outlined the intention to initiate a significant capital investment programme to create additional special school capacity in the primary sector.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.