Agenda and minutes

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

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Paul Milton and Lucy Cooney.

To record any observers present.

There were no observers in attendance.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21 January 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To discuss any matters arising.

Peter Hughes informed the Forum that regarding previous enquiries relating to the current vacancies on the Forum that the following applied: -

·         Current representation on the Forum was in line with regulations and practices in the Northwest.

·         The Primary Governor vacancy had now been filled by Stephen Campbell who was in attendance.

·         There was now an Academy vacancy, due to Vicky Howe no longer being a governor on the new board following Werneth Secondary converting to Academy status.

·         Letters would be sent to Academy representatives requesting the vacancy be filled.

·         The membership updates would be circulated to the Forum.

RESOLVED – that the updates be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum Members with the outline as to how the monitoring and brokering fund has been used this financial year (April 2020-March 2021); and describes the planned spend for both future monies and monies that have been saved during the recent past.

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 outline as to how the monitoring and brokering fund has been used this financial year (April 2020-March 2021); and describes the planned spend for both future monies and monies that have been saved during the recent past.  

There was a discussion relating to the Brokerage Grant and the reserve funding that was promised together with some written questions.

A detailed response to the questions asked would be provided to the Forum in advance of the next meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 details/information relating to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on schools’ financial resources and the financial support provided by 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 the Schools’ Forum Members with the details/information relating to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on schools’ financial resources and the financial support provided by the Department for Education (DfE).

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         Frustration and unhappiness was expressed relating to the nurseries being totally ignored and forgotten by the DfE regarding any additional funding and support.

·         Members felt that the use of the word “reasonable” by the DfE in its guidance was tactical as it made it difficult for schools to employ anyone and reclaim expenses.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum Members with the details of the consultation document released by the Department for Education (DfE) on the national funding formula review of high needs funding provided to local authorities and to seek any Schools’ Forum members views/opinions for inclusion in a joint LA / Schools’ Forum response.

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 the details of the consultation document released by the Department for Education (DfE) on the national funding formula review of high needs funding provided to local authorities and to seek any Schools’ Forum members views/opinions for inclusion in a joint LA / Schools’ Forum response.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The consultation had been extended by one day to allow Schools’ Forum members to feedback their views.

·         More details relating to the “High Needs Block” would be circulated in the summer/autumn which would reflect the next reforms coming out of the DfE.

·         It was suggested that the data should be looked at across 4 years which would be fairer and can then be averaged.

·         Enquiries were made regarding SEND provisions and the exclusion agenda. In response, it was noted that there would be additional funding and further information would follow.

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 outcome of the public consultation in regard to the High Needs block review.

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 Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) that provided the Schools’ Forum members with an update on the dedicated schools grant (DSG) review.

The Forum were informed that the next stage of the consultation would be to finalise the proposals and to submit a report to Cabinet in June 2021.

The Chair, confirmed that the learning would be really good and beneficial to those involved.

REOSLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report provides Schools’ Forum Members with the final details of the 2021/22 total school budget.

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 the final details of the 2021/22 total school budget.

The Forum were informed that the report pulls everything together and sets out the blocks which has been submitted to the DfE and already passed the compliance checks and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.   

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the remaining 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) and to provide 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 2020/21 academic year meeting dates provided at section 3.1;

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). 

The Forum were informed of the following: -

·         May 2021 meeting would be used to discuss the Annual items for the next municipal year;

·         July 2021 meeting – the DfE announcements and any other consultations to be launched as well as the 2022/23 settlement information would be shared; and

·         Future meetings could still be held remotely with a hybrid of live and face to face.

RESOLVED: (i) That the report be noted.

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

(iii) That the proposed meeting dates and scheduled items be noted as follows: -

·         May 2021  - to discuss the Annual items for the next municipal year; and

·         July 2021  - the DfE announcements and any other consultations to be launched as well as the 2022/23 settlement information to be shared.

(iv) Peter Hughes and Danny Pearson to discuss facilitating future meetings.

To discuss any other business.

The Chair informed the Forum that it would be Stephen Nyakatawa’s last meeting and on behalf of the Schools’ Forum expressed their thanks for his commitment, attendance and contributions to the Forum and wished him the very best for the future.