Agenda and minutes

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

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Becky Senior, Councillor Wendy Meikle, Jacqui Ames, Vicky Howe, Anne Trafford and Martin Vevers.

To record any observers present.

There was one observer present as follows: -

·         Emma Morton – Stockport Council, School’s Finance Team

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 10 December 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to Lucy Compton being included in the attendance list.

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.

It was reported that there was a typing error in the report on page 11 of the report, paragraph 4.1 (a) “20 December 2002” should be amended to correctly read “10 December 2020”.

RESOLVED – That following the correction being made to the report that it be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum Members with the final details of the 2021/2022 Schools Funding Announcement by the Education Secretary (Rt Hon Gavin Williamson) on 17 December 2020.

Schools Forum is requested to note the report and offer any further comments.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Tel: 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 Schools’ Forum Members with the final details of the 2021/2022 Schools Funding Announcement by the Education Secretary (Rt Hon Gavin Williamson) on 17 December 2020.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         Clarification was sought on how the School Improvement Monitoring and Brokering Grant was used and distributed and what were the plans for April 2021 – August 2021. In response, it was noted that a written response would be provided to the Forum at the next meeting.

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 2021/2022 Local Authority annual pro-forma toolkit (APT) return to be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE).

Schools’ Forum is requested to note the report and offer any further comments.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Tel 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 2021/2022 Local Authority annual pro-forma toolkit (APT) return to be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE).

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 2021/22 total schools budget; and seeks approval of the final resource budget allocations for services/activities within the central school services block (CSSB).

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report;

b)   Approve the final budget allocations within the CSSB (as per section 5 / Appendix 3); and

c)    Offer any further comments.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Tel: 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 2021/22 total schools budget; and seeks approval of the final resource budget allocations for services/activities within the central school services block (CSSB).

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Clarification was sought regarding the Maintained Nursery Schools and the higher base rate. In response, it was confirmed that the new base rate would be £6.72per hour.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Final Budget allocations within the CSSB (as per section 5/Appendix 3) be approved.

(iii) That a final concluding report be submitted to the next meeting.

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 report which updated Schools’ Forum members on the dedicated schools grant (DSG) review.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members enquired about the timeframe for the proposed changes. In response, it was commented that depending on the detail of individual proposed changes the earliest any would take effect would be from April 2022.

·         Members also asked about the workshop dates being circulated. In response, it was noted that the workshop dates would be circulated the following week.

·         Clarification was sought regarding attending the workshop and possibly attending different days. In response, it was confirmed that Forum Members could attend any workshop based upon the dates advertised.

·         Members enquired about the workshops and whether they were just for Headteachers/Forum Members. In response, it was confirmed that a separate workshop would be arranged for Forum Members.

RESOLVED – (i) That the update be noted.

(ii) That the dates of the workshop be circulated to the Forum.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members a final update of the Schools’ Forum review undertaken in autumn 2020; and further provides Schools’ Forum members a revised terms of reference (ToR) document and updated membership/terms of office listing.

Schools’ Forum Members are requested to note the report and offer any further comments.

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 a final update of the Schools’ Forum review undertaken in autumn 2020; and further provides Schools’ Forum members a revised terms of reference (ToR) document and updated membership/terms of office listing.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members enquired about the current vacancies on the Forum relating to Secondary Headteachers and School Governors. In response, it was noted that the membership had been previously amended and it was currently three Secondary Representatives and four Academy Representatives.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the PVI Representative and their attendance. In response, it was noted that the PVI was in attendance at the meeting and will attend future meetings depending on the agenda items relating to Early Years.

·         Concern was raised relating to voting at the Forum and the secondary representatives which were less represented on the Forum which could sway the voting patterns due to the disparity of the sector being represented. In response, it was commented that the representation would be reviewed and reported back to the Forum at a future meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report 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 Schools’ Forum members with details of the calendar dates of meetings agreed for the 2020/21 academic year and also provided Schools’ Forum members with the opportunity to request reports for future meetings and/or make amendments to the forward planner (Appendix 1).

RESOLVED: (i) That the report be noted.

(ii)  That the academic year meeting dates provided be noted.

To discuss any other business.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Clarification was sought regarding claiming the Covid-19 costs. In response, further information was requested for clarification and a summary report will be presented at a future meeting.

·         A question was asked about the deadline for clawback. In response, it was noted that an update would be provided to a future meeting providing the details.

·         Members enquired about whether or not there would be additional funding for schools for the purpose of the ‘testing regime’. In response, it was commented that communications would be forthcoming from the DfE, but reasonable levels of funding would be provided.

·         Concerns were expressed regarding funding being used for staff to be trained and other resources and the conflicting messages regarding the funding across the GM and how schools could claim it back. In response, the Cabinet Member informed the Schools’ Forum that the issues had been raised at the GM Children’s Board and another meeting had been scheduled and action was being taken to write to the DfE.