Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chair, Emma Hill took the Chair.

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Emma Hill welcomed members to the virtual meeting of the Schools Forum.

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

No apologies for absence were received.

To record any observers present.

There were two observers present as follows: -

·         Emma Morton – Stockport Council, Specialist Finance

·         Angie McDonnell – Stockport Council, CSS Officer

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 9 July 2020 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.

To provide the Schools’ Forum members with details of the Terms of Reference (ToR), with a membership update and to discuss / determine any further actions required.

The Schools’ Forum is asked to: -

a)    note the report;

b)   discuss and determine if a review of the Forum against the DfE checklist is required;

c)    acknowledge and discuss the latest position on vacancies;

d)    agree a position in relation to Chair/Vice Chair positions; and

e)    determine if the letter is to be issued to the identified non-attendees.

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 details of the Terms of Reference and a membership update.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         New Department for Education (DfE) guidance was issued in the summer 2020 which provides an update on a number of documents.

·         The Forum will be sent a copy of the DfE checklist to be completed prior to the next meeting.

·         A discussion took place relating to the Governors and Academy representatives/vacancies on the Forum. Anne Trafford would seek to fill the current vacant fifth post for primary governors via GOVAS and the additional 1 representative position now allocated to the Academy sector be sought with the assistance of Linda Hanson.

·         The Forum were also informed that Paul Carter had resigned and a new Chair and Vice Chair would need to be appointed.

·         There was a discussion about non-attendance and the lack of apologies that were submitted. Members proposed that the model letter (Appendix 4) be sent to the non-attendees and that a wider discussion takes place with the Diocese and PVI Sector.

Emma Hill was nominated for the position of Chair by Anne Trafford and seconded by Anne Rogowski – All Members were in agreement.

Anne Rogowski was nominated for the position of Vice Chair by Emma Hill and seconded by Tony Martin – All Members were in agreement.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That Emma Hill be appointed as Chair of the School Forum.

(3) That Anne Rogowski be appointed as Vice Chair of the Schools Forum.

(4) That Paul Carter be thanked on behalf of the Schools forum for his service to Stockport Schools and as Chair of the Forum and that arrangements be made for a card and present to be sent to him as a token of appreciation on behalf of the Forum.

(5) That expressions of interest be sought for additional Governors and Academy representatives with the assistance of Anne Trafford and Linda Hanson respectively.

(6) That letters be sent to non-attendees on behalf of the Forum and a wider discussion takes place with the Diocese and PVI Sector regarding non-attendance and representation.

(7) That a copy of the DfE checklist be circulated to the Forum members to be completed prior to the next meeting.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides the Schools’ Forum with details of the DfE response in relation to the “Financial transparency of local authority maintained schools and academy trusts” consultation undertaken in autumn 2019.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    note the report; and

b)   implement the key elements for schools as listed at section 2.3.

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 details of the Department of Education (DfE) response in relation to the “Financial transparency of local authority maintained schools and academy trusts” consultation undertaken in autumn 2019.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         Members commented about approaching the unions and the DfE about the funding and providing feedback to the Forum.

·         Members expressed concern for the school budgets and deficits and that schools needed to understand clearly the process going forward.

·         Members queried the breakdown of schools spending for Covid-19 e.g. staff spend, sums of money for Covid etc. In response, it was noted that the information was not being collated directly.

·         It was suggested that there should be a common approach regarding the expenditure incurred and that the information should be collated.

·         There was a discussion about the impact on nurseries and private nurseries and the provisions available relating to funding, confidence for parents and childminders not being the preferred option. In response, it was noted that the local authority was monitoring the concerns with nurseries.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That Peter Hughes collate the information relating to the breakdown of schools Covid-19 spending and provide an update to the Forum at a future meeting.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides the Schools’ Forum with details of the proposed amendments to the Scheme for Financing Schools document for approval.

The Schools’ Forum are asked to:

a)    note the report; and

b)   approve the proposed amendments as detailed in Appendix 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) which provided the Forum with details of the proposed amendments to the Scheme for Financing Schools document for approval.

Members expressed concerns relating to the three-year budget forecast and the alternative insurance schemes. In response, it was noted that the three- year forecast was ideally pre-Covid-19 and that it would be difficult to forecast and that schools were free to join any insurance scheme.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the proposed amendments as detailed in Appendix 2 be approved.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides the School Forum with details of the 2021/22 Schools Funding announcement.

The 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) which provided the Forum with details of the 2021/22 Schools Funding announcement.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides the Schools’ Forum with details: -

a)    of the 2021/22 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline.

b)    to discuss the local options and overall construction of the 2021/22 total Schools Budget financed by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

c)    to discuss 2021/22 budget matters requiring consultation and the management of the DSG deficit position.

Schools’ Forum are asked to:

a)    note the report;

b)   offer any comments; and

c)    discuss the de-delegation options (section 4.5) with wider primary and secondary maintained school colleagues and report back with decision making at 10 December 2020 meeting.

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 details of the 2021/22 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         It was noted that all schools across Stockport should be supported including every child.

·         The “soft NFF” had been extended for one more year, despite the DfE wanting to go to the “hard formula” it was now more likely to be from April 2023.

·         A discussion took place regarding the consultation relating to the “hard funding formula” that had not been done since 2017. In response, it was noted that the consultation would be done two weeks after the half term break and that it needed to be advertised as widely as possible with the assistance of Governors and Headteachers on the Forum.

·         There was a discussion relating to de-delegation options (section 4.5) with wider primary and secondary maintained school colleagues. Members agreed to discuss with their wider sector colleagues and an update be provided to the next meeting.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That an update/decision relating to the de-delegation options contained within the report be submitted to the LA at the next meeting of the Forum.

(3) That a consultation relating to the “hard funding formula” be conducted for two weeks following the October half term break and that it be advertised as widely as possible with the assistance of the Governors and Headteachers on the Forum.

To consider a verbal report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The verbal report updates Schools’ Forum members on the dedicated schools grant (DSG) review.  

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report

b)    Offer any further comments

Officer contact Bev Milway on 0161 218 1785 or email: bev.milway@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Children’s Services provided a verbal update on the Dedicated School’s Grant (DSG) review.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         It was noted that the DSG Consultation would be going live on the 9 October 2020.

·         Members were informed that a briefing session had taken place the week beginning the 7 October 2020 with PRU leads, Local Authority Heads of Service and that Schools would be provided with a copy of a recording of the briefing sessions.

RESOLVED – That the verbal update be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the calendar dates of meetings agreed for the 2020/21 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 provides Schools’ Forum members with 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)    note the academic year meeting dates provided;

d)   discuss and propose any amendments to the forward planner; and

e)    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 the Forum with details of the calendar dates of meetings agreed for the 2021/22 academic year.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         It was noted that the proposed dates would be checked with the Primary Teacher meeting in January 2021.

·         Members enquired about training for Forum members. In response, it was noted that training and development could be arranged 30 minutes before the start of the meeting.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the proposed dates for the academic year be noted.

(3) That any requests for training and development be made to Peter Hughes who would then make the appropriate arrangements.

To discuss any other business.

No further business was discussed.