Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Jon Roper, Debbie Grindrod, Alison Naismith, Tony Martin, Karen Southwick, Colin Short, David Meller and Mark Sibson.

It was reported that Nick Bennett (St James’ High School) was in attendance as an observer.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2017 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 People.

The report provides School Forum members with details of the procedure used in order for Headteachers to have input into the School Admissions Appeal Statement of Case.

Schools Forum is asked to note the report.

Officer Contact: Karen McCrevey on 0161 474 3947 or email: Karen.mccrevey@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the procedure used in order for Headteachers to have input into the School Admissions Appeal process.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Should head teachers wish to present their case themselves, they would have to present for every appeal for entry to their school and make themselves available for a considerable number of days each year.

·         Some head teachers had previously attended appeals in order to provide further details regarding their building, but had been asked to leave for the rest of the appeal by the Chair of the Panel.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for People be recommended to fully explain the process for admission appeal representation to new head teachers as part of their induction.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer

The report provides Schools Forum members with the final details of the 2017/18 Total Schools Budget constructed and financed predominantly by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

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) providing the final details of the 2017/18 Total Schools Budget constructed and financed predominantly by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

Under the current forecast the 2018/19 budget would require £800k of savings and/or use of reserves and it was planned that the DSG Review Group would reconvene in the summer term to address the short term sustainability issue.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to arrange a further meeting of the DSG Review Group and invite all Schools Forum representatives and head teacher representatives to share it with their wider consortia groups as appropriate.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides School Forum members with details of the final proposed amendments to the Scheme for Financing Schools document for approval following consultation with all school governing bodies.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

            a) Note the above report;

b) Note the consultation objection (Appendix 2) and observation received and Local Authority response to each matter as outlined in section 4.5; and

            c) Approve the proposed amendments as provided at Appendix 3

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) detailing the final proposed amendments to the Scheme for Financing Schools document for approval following consultation with all school governing bodies.

An objection had been submitted in relation to multi-year budgets which had been discussed with internal audit and the proposal had been amended accordingly. A further comment had been submitted in relation to a reference to an old school meals contract with Solutions SK which had been noted and removed.

RESOLVED – That the revised amendments to the Scheme for Financing Schools as outlined in the report at Appendix 3 be approved.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with update on Local Authority (LA) activity relating to the consultation proposals with key stakeholder groups and seeks to discuss with Schools’ Forum the current draft joint LA and Schools response and seek any additional views/comments.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report; and

b)   Offer any comments / further views to be included in the draft consultation responses as provided at Appendix 1 & 2.

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 an update on Local Authority (LA) activity relating to the consultation proposals with key stakeholder groups and seeking to discuss the current draft joint LA and Schools response.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Head teachers appreciated the work that the Local Authority was doing on their behalf.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the instability to schools an increase to the MFG level would cause. In response, it was stated that an increase would release additional funding within the system to allow the schools that were due to receive an increase in funding to receive it quicker and benefit from increased funding levels.

·         Lots of work had been done by schools and the Local Authority up this point and it was felt that the lobbying needed to continue beyond the consultation deadline.

·         Some schools felt vulnerable when contacting parents about the consultation as there was a risk that explaining the impact of the proposals to parents could result in a reduction in pupil numbers, particularly to the private sector. It was felt that a holistic approach to the next stage of lobbying should be taken to minimise this risk to any particular school.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to circulate the F40 document that was submitted to the Prime Minister in relation to the National Funding Formula Consultation to Schools Forum members.

(3) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to liaise with the head teacher at Moss Hey Primary School regarding the progress on the “running costs of school” exercise.

(4) That the Borough Treasurer and Corporate Director for People be requested to finalise and submit the joint Local Authority/Schools Forum consultation response.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the new Schools and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2017 which came into force from 16 February 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) detailing the new Schools and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2017 that came into force from 16 February 2017.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides members with details of the scheduled meetings for the 2016/17 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 further provides Schools Forum members with the opportunity to request any items for training/development sessions.

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

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) updating members with details of the scheduled meetings for the 2016/17 academic year and the proposed forward planner of Schools Forum business.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To discuss any other business.

Subsequent to the report that was submitted to the Schools Forum meeting of 17 March 2016 relating to water & sewerage charges to schools, it was reported that subsequent to the consultation in 2016 an unfavourable decision had been made by DEFRA and further lobbying was taking place led by Sefton Council. Further communication would be sent from the Corporate Director for People to all schools in the coming weeks outlining the latest position and any further potential actions for schools.

Some members of the Forum had queried whether the start time of the meeting could be moved back to allow more time to get from schools to the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to seek the views of all members of the Forum regarding a preferred start time.