Agenda and minutes

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

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Paul Towey, David Mellor, Damian Cunningham, Helen Hannah and Stephanie Longson representing Janette Braithwaite.

To record any observers present.

There were no observers reported.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 25 January 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the final 2018/19 Schools Budget financed predominantly via deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

Schools Forum Members are 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 Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools Forum members with details of the final 2018/19 Schools Budget financed predominantly via deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum queried the position in relation to the position of school balances (particularly in the primary sector) and the issue of the overall surplus level held by schools at a time when the Local Authority is lobbying central government for additional resources.  In response, a representative of the Borough Treasurer outlined the current process (i.e. a 12% threshold level) which was applied in accordance with the Scheme for Financing Schools’ document as approved by Schools’ Forum members.

·         Any change to the scheme/process would require full consultation with all school governing bodies and would require amendment to the Scheme to be approved by Schools’ Forum members.

RESOLVED (i) That the position of school balances would be reviewed again as part of the annual reporting update presented in summer to Schools’ Forum members relating to the final 2017/18 school balances reported at 31 March 2018 and Local Authority officers to provide overview of claw-back applied/approved.

(ii) That the report be noted.

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 2018 which came into force from 5 February 2018.

Schools Forum Members are 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) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the new Schools and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2018 which came into force from 5 February 2018.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides details of Schools’ Forum members membership of the DSG Review Group ahead of the initial meeting scheduled for next week.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report,

b)   Identify further representatives for the DSG Review Group as per section 4.3 of the report; and

c)    Offer any comments / views.

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 details of Schools’ Forum members membership of the DSG Review Group ahead of the initial meeting which was scheduled to take place the following week.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A discussion took place to identify who would represent the other sectors/groups as listed in section 4.3 of the report.

RESOLVED (i) A representative of the Borough Treasurer to distribute papers to Review Group members on Friday ahead of the initial meeting the following week.

(ii) That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the scheduled meetings for the 2017/18 academic year.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the proposed dates for the calendar of meetings in the 2017/18 academic year.

The report 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 the opportunity to request any items for training/development sessions.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

(a)  Note the above report;

(b)  Request any reports for future meetings;

(c)  Discuss and propose any amendments to the forward planner; and

(d)  Request any items for training/development sessions.

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 scheduled meetings for the 2017/18 academic year.

The report also provided Schools Forum members with details of the proposed dates for the calendar of meetings in the 2017/18 academic year.

The report provided Schools Forum members with the opportunity to request reports for future meetings and/or make amendments to the forward planner (Appendix 1).

The report also provided Schools Forum members with the opportunity to request any items for training/development sessions.

RESOLVED – (i) That the May meeting of the Schools Forum be cancelled but that the summer meeting in July go ahead as scheduled.

(ii) That the report be noted.

To discuss any other business.

No further business was discussed.