Agenda and minutes

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

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Anne Trafford, Ian Irwin and Eleanor Losse.

To record any observers present.

There were no observers present.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 22 November 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To discuss any matters arising.

Members of the Forum were advised that a letter relating to long term sickness insurance would be sent out before Christmas.

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 provides Schools’ Forum members with the updated Schools’ Forum Operational and Good Practice Guide as determined by the Department for Education (DfE); and also provides Schools’ Forum members with a membership update.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report and the information provided; and

b)   Offer any further 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 the updated Schools’ Forum Operational and Good Practice Guide as determined by the Department for Education (DfE) and also provided School’ Forum members with a membership update.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the consultation document launched by the Department for Education (DfE) relating to the new reporting requirements on dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficits from 2018/19.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report; and

b)    Offer any comments to be considered for inclusion in any LA response.

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).  The report provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the consultation document launched by the Department for Education (DfE) relating to the new reporting requirements on dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficits from 2018/19.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with update on the 2019/20 budget setting process for the total Schools’ Budget predominantly financed by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG);

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report;

b)   Offer any further comments on individual areas; and

c)    Formally report back decision on 2019/20 de-delegated services (primary and secondary maintained school reps only).

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 an update on the 2019/20 budget setting process for the total Schools’ Budget predominantly financed by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum expressed concerns that figures had still not been received from Educational Psychology.

·         A meeting of Head Teachers was due to take place on 13 December 2018.  In response, members were advised that a decision on this matter needed to be made before Christmas.

·         Members questioned whether there would be a review of the formula, and were informed that there would be a review in the post-Christmas period.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That Members would formally report back the decision on the 2019/20 de-delegated services (primary and secondary maintained school representatives only).

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides School’s Forum members with update on the excessive surplus balance control mechanism applied for 2017/18; and also provides an update on the cumulative position of the process applied since re-introduction following Schools’ Forum request/agreement.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report; and

b)    Offer any further 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 an update on the excessive surplus balance control mechanism applied for 2017/18 and also provided an update on the cumulative position of the process applied since the reintroduction following Schools’ Forum request/agreement.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with an update on the Council’s medium term financial plan (MTFP).

Schools Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the above report; and

b)    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 an update on the Council’s medium term financial plan (MTFP).

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Questions were raised regarding the constitution of the review groups.

·         Members of the Forum also asked about timelines for the medium term financial plan.

·         Concerns were expressed that decisions had already been made which were affecting schools directly.  In response, Members were advised that officers were listening to what Schools’ Forum had to say and it was anticipated that more details would be forthcoming at the January meeting of the Forum.

·         A short discussion took place on the nature of the transport proposals as it was felt that these would have a huge impact on the Borough’s most vulnerable pupils.

·         Members of the Forum were strongly encouraged to send responses to the consultation.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the consultation document be resent to all members of the Schools’ Forum.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with the opportunity to request reports for future meetings and/or amendments to the forward planner (Appendix 1).  The report also provides Schools Forum members with the opportunity to request any items for training/development sessions.

Schools Forum members are asked to:

                  I.        Note the above report;

                II.         Request any reports for future meetings;

               III.        Note the 2018/19 academic year meeting dates provided at section 3.1 above;

              IV.        Discuss and propose any amendments to the forward planner; and

                V.        Request any items for training/development sessions.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Tel 474 3947 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 the opportunity to request reports for future meetings and/or amendments to the forward planner.  The report also provided Schools Forum members with the opportunity to request any items for training/development sessions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To discuss any other business.

No further business was discussed.