Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Dawn Taylor and Alison Naismith.

It was reported that Alan Beswick and Emma Johnstone were in attendance as observers.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2015 (copies of which had been circulated) were approved as a correct record.

To discuss any matters arising.

Early Years Update (Minute 7 of 17 of 10 December 2015 meeting)

With regard to Minute number 7 from the meeting held on 10 December 2015 regarding whether the numbers of three & four year old children attending maintained nursery schools and classes were being affected by the growth in uptake of 2 year olds receiving early education funding, it was reported that the Director of Education Services and officers from Schools Finance and Early Years would meet with the Headteacher at Cale Green Primary School to discuss the matter further.

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

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 Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Forum with an executive summary of the business matters included on the main agenda.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides Schools Forum members with details of the outcomes relating to the recent consultation document released by the Department for Education (DfE) relating to the School and Early Years Finance Regulations 2015.

Schools Forum is asked to note the report.

Officer Contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or 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) providing details of the outcomes relating to the recent consultation document released by the Department for Education (DfE) relating to the School and Early Years Finance Regulations 2015.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provide Schools Forum members with details of the key information emanating from the Chancellors comprehensive spend review (CSR) statement (25 November 2015) and the ministerial announcement made to Parliament relating to the 2016/17 Schools funding settlement (17 December 2015).

Schools Forum is asked to note the report.

Officer Contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or 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) providing details of the key information emanating from the Chancellors comprehensive spend review (CSR) statement (25 November 2015) and the ministerial announcement made to Parliament relating to the 2016/17 Schools funding settlement (17 December 2015).

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Representations were made in relation to the impact on primary sector schools of the introduction of the universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) initiative and the costs of providing school meals to all key stage one pupils against funding provided via the delegated formula and other grant funding streams;

·         It was felt that schools with higher levels of deprivation were disproportionately having to cover the cost of providing school meals;

·         It was predicted that the F40 proposed funding formula would provide an extra £2.9m to Stockport equating to £30k per school which was considered not sufficient to address the imbalance in funding;

·         There was no indication that DfE would accept the F40 proposed funding formula;

·         It was acknowledged that a change in the formula may partly address the current imbalance in funding but may not completely solve it;

·         Further details of DfE planned consultations would provide further details regarding the reduction of the Local Authority’s role in schools.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to submit a report at a future meeting outlining further information regarding the funding and cost of free school meals.

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

The report provides Schools Forum members with details of the Final 2016/17 Local Authority (LA) annual pro-forma toolkit (APT) return to be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE).

Schools Forum is asked to note the report and offer any comments.

Officer Contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or 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 Final 2016/17 Local Authority (LA) annual pro-forma toolkit (APT) return to be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE).

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concerns were raised at the potential for the local formula funding for the primary sector to increase beyond the minimum level of 75% for basic entitlement funding;

·         Assurances were given that any changes to the basic entitlement funding value would have to go through the appropriate consultation process;

·         78.43% referred to the total funding distributed via the basic entitlement factor for both primary and secondary sectors;

·         Further concerns were raised at the potential for funding allocations to decrease per-pupil as numbers on roll increased.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to submit a report to a future meeting regarding the individual school impact of the refreshed Indices of Multiple Deprivation data set.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to provide indicative 2016/17 budget allocations to schools.

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

The report provides Schools Forum members an update on the 2016/17 dedicated schools grant (DSG) revenue funding allocated by the Department for Education (DfE) and an update on the construction of the total 2016/17 Schools Budget and finalise any outstanding matters as appropriate.

Schools Forum is invited to consider the detailed recommendations in the report.

Officer Contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or 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) providing an update on the 2016/17 dedicated schools grant (DSG) revenue funding allocated by the Department for Education (DfE) and an update on the construction of the total 2016/17 Schools Budget and finalise any outstanding matters as appropriate.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concerns were raised with the potential impact of the secondary sector opting to not de-delegate funding in 2016/17 for the Ethnic Diversity Service;

·         This presented a loss of £170k to the Ethnic Diversity Service and reductions to capacity at management level were being made to ensure front line services could still be delivered;

·         It was felt that there was a genuine need for the services in Stockport and the Ethnic Diversity Service would be looking to promote its service outside of the borough to maintain the current infrastructure;

·         The secondary sector valued the service offered by Ethnic Diversity Service but had issues with the model as it was and wanted a model that was more well suited to their sector’s needs;

·         Further concerns were raised with the lack of communication between the Primary Head Consortium and the Secondary Head Consortium.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Secondary Sector de-delegation matters be implemented as outlined in the report.

(3) That the proposed 2016/17 resource allocations for central/statutory services be approved.

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

The report provides members with details of the scheduled meetings for the 2015/16 academic year the proposed forward planner of Schools Forum business.

Schools Forum is invited to consider the detailed recommendations in the report.

Officer Contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or 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) updating members with details of the scheduled meetings for the 2015/16 academic year and the proposed forward planner of Schools Forum business.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To discuss any other business.

There was no other business.

The next scheduled meeting of Schools Forum is 17 March 2016.

RESOLVED – That the next meeting of the Schools Forum be held on Thursday 17 March 2016 at Castle Hill High School, The Fairway, Offerton, with an optional question and answer session on reports to be considered to be held prior to the commencement of the meeting at 3.45pm.