Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Sue Challinor, Damian Cunningham, Kathleen Hopkins, Ian Roberts and Karen Southwick.

It was reported that Emma Johnstone (Local Authority Officer) was in attendance as an observer.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2016.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2016 (copies of which had been circulated) 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) 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 Place Management and Regeneration.

The report provides an overview of the current road safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport. It gives information about the current road safety training provision in schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods. The report also considers the potential for the introduction of further provision in regard to road safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

Schools Forum is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contacts: Sue Stevenson/Nick Whelan on 0161 474 4351/4907 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk/nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the current road safety provision in and around educational facilities in Stockport.

The following comments were/ issues raised:-

·         An audit of the area around each primary school in the borough had been scheduled to identify opportunities to develop safety interventions within approximately 300m of the schools.

·         The interventions would be done as part of a prioritised programme ordered in terms of incidents.

·         The number of penalty tickets issued for parking on school ‘keep clear zig zag lines’ had increased significantly due to the Council being able to issue postal tickets.

·         Concerns were raised about speeding outside of schools and it was reported that Greater Manchester Police would undertake traffic enforcement if speeding was reported to them.

·         Planning officers were aware of the need to gain contributions from housing developers to mitigate traffic measures associated with a new development.

·         There had been issues of parents parking on the main road outside St Paul’s due to the development of a site which had previously been used for parking.

·         A number of headteachers present were not aware of the Council’s ‘Operation Eagle Eye’ and more information was sought.

·         It was acknowledged that secondary schools had their own issues around road safety, but that the review would initially prioritise primary schools.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to circulate the schedule of schools to be audited to headteachers, to allow the lower priority schools to make interim arrangements.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to circulate further information about ‘Operation Eagle Eye’.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report outlines the current arrangements for the funding of appeals in the Borough as well as background information for the co-ordination of those appeals.

Schools Forum is asked to determine whether to use the provision given to Local Authorities following consultation to change the way it funds these arrangements from April 2017.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the current arrangements for the funding of admission appeals in the Borough as well as background information for the co-ordination of those appeals.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Academies currently had service level agreements with Democratic Services for the co-ordination of appeals which included an annual buy-in charge covering 5 appeals.

·         Whilst the co-ordination of appeals for voluntary aided schools was funded by the Stockport Council admissions authority, voluntary aided schools were charged for the presentation of their case at the appeals.

·         The impact of successful appeals on schools was stressed.

RESOLVED – (1) That the admissions authority retains a budget of £38,000 to meet all of the costs associated with the co-ordination of the independent admission appeals process for all maintained schools in the borough from 1 April 2017.

(2) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to submit a report to a future meeting providing further information regarding schools’ input into the admission appeal process.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report details the final 2016/17 Terms of Reference (ToR) document and an update on membership further to the report presented on this subject matter at last meeting held 29 September 2016.

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 Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the final 2016/17 Terms of Reference document and an update on membership further to the report presented on this subject matter at the last meeting held 29 September 2016.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Ian Roberts had been appointed as a governor at a primary school and would therefore be representing the primary sector on Schools Forum as opposed to the academy sector.

·         Letters had been distributed to members who had not attended two or more meetings in the previous 12 month period seeking explanation for non-attendance.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the tone of the letter that was distributed.

·         Whether or not apologies for absence had been received from a member should be taken into consideration when deciding if a non-attendance letter should be sent.

·         Officers from Schools Finance were available to undertake one to one inductions with new Schools Forum members if they felt that they needed it.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to amend the Terms of Reference document to take into account apologies for absence when distributing non-attendance letters.

(3) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to submit a draft version of the non-attendance letter to a future meeting of Schools Forum for approval prior to distribution.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report outlines the Apprenticeship Levy Scheme to be introduced from April 2017.

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 Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the Apprenticeship Levy Scheme to be introduced from April 2017.

The following comments were/ issues raised:-

·         Academies that were not part of a multi-academy chain would not have the levy applied to them if their total pay bill did not exceed the £3m threshold.

·         Subject to formal confirmation from central government that Voluntary Aided Schools would be treated as separate entities, it was estimated that none of the Stockport Voluntary Aided schools would exceed the £3m pay bill threshold.

·         The Head of Participation and Education Services had met with Primary and Secondary Head Consortiums to discuss the Apprenticeship Levy scheme.

·         Maintained schools would access the £15,000 through the Head of Participation and Education Services who would co-ordinate the commissioning arrangements.

·         Further clarification was sought regarding what the funding could be used for.

·         Any underspend in the training budget would go back to central government.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides detail of the proposed revisions to the Scheme for Financing Schools document to take effect from April 2017, following due consultation with all school governing bodies in the spring term 2017.

Schools Forum is asked 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 Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposed revisions to the Scheme for Financing Schools document to take effect from April 2017, following due consultation with all school governing bodies in the spring term 2017.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was particularly difficult for schools to undertake 3 year financial plans without knowing what funding would be available.

·         The duty to have a 3 year financial plan lay with school governing bodies and it was felt that there was a need for further training.

·         Officers from Schools Finance were available to offer training to governors upon request.

RESOLVED – (1) That the consultation timeline be agreed as set out in the report.

(2) That the Local Authority only seek responses from schools where they have any objections to the proposed revisions.

(3) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to contact officers in the Internal Audit team to determine whether a 3 year local financial plan had to be statutory.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides an update on the 2017/18 Schools Budget setting process and general funding arrangements.

Schools Forum is asked 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 Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposed revisions to the Scheme for Financing Schools document to take effect from April 2017, following due consultation with all school governing bodies in the spring term 2017.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Any reductions in funding in the Early Years Block would significantly affect the Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) sector who were already struggling with increasing costs such as the increasing National Living Wage.

·         Supplementary funding would be provided for Nursery Schools for the duration of the current Parliament and further consultation was expected.

·         The current staffing ratios for maintained nurseries were having a significant impact on staffing costs.

·         Many maintained schools had to use funding allocated for statutory provision to sustain nursery provision.

·         Early years funding was key to developing better outcomes for children in later life and therefore needed sufficient funding.

·         Local Councillors and Members of Parliament were being lobbied and there was cross-party agreement that better funding for early years provision was required.

·         The Minimum Funding Guarantee would protect schools if capping the quantum funding levels resulted in their per pupil funding decreasing.

·         The larger maternity budget for the primary sector was due to there being more female staff in the primary sector than in the secondary sector.

·         Further details about the National Funding Formula for 2018/19 were due to be released prior to the next meeting of Schools Forum and sub-forum groups would be established to discuss the proposals and co-ordinate a response.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the direct transfer of the Education Services Grant retained duties funding into the Dedicated Schools Grant from April 2017 to the Council’s cash-limit budget.

(2) That all School local formula funding factors, except Basic Entitlement, be capped at the 2016/17 quantum funding levels.

(3) That the 2017/18 de-delegation arrangements for Primary and Secondary sectors remain the same as 2016/17.

(4) That the indicative budget allocated for the central/statutory areas be approved as outlined in the report.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

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 Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating members with details of the scheduled meetings for the 2016/17 academic year and the proposed forward planner of Schools Forum business.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for the next meeting to be held at Aquinas College.

To discuss any other business.

There was no other business.

The next scheduled meeting of Schools Forum is 26 January 2017.

RESOLVED – That the next meeting of the Schools Forum be held on Thursday 26 January 2017 at 4.15pm at Aquinas College, Nangreave Road, Stockport with an optional question and answer session on the reports to be held prior to the commencement of the meeting at 3.45pm.