Agenda and minutes

The Chair, 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 Councillor Becky Senior and Keith Turmeau.

To record any observers present.

Emma Morton and Karishma Chandaria were in attendance as observers.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 25 March 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was noted that Martin Vevers had attended the last meeting.

To discuss any matters arising.

A representative of the Borough Treasurer provided an update of the School’s Forum Membership.  Members were asked to bear in mind that there were 4 or 5 Members whose membership was due for renewal in August/September.  Did those Members wish to continue as part of School’s Forum or think about nominating a replacement?

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 Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum Members with an update on the level of school reserves held in relation to insurance schemes administered by the Local Authority.

Schools Forum Members are requested to:

i)             Note the report

ii)            Provide comments/a collective view regarding the proposed options in point 2.6 about the LTS funds.

iii)          Offer any further comments

Officer contact: Sarah Cook/Peter Hughes Telephone: 0161 474 4030 Email: sarah.s.cook@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided School’s Forum Members with an update on the level of school reserves held in relation to insurance schemes administered by the Local Authority.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         In response to a question regarding whether insurance reserves were treated in the same way as school reserves, Members of the Forum were advised that school reserves are assessed individually based on what the reserve is related to and the associated risks.

·         A short discussion took place relating to the various options outlined in the report and Members were advised that these views would be taken into consideration and that the Local Authority would make a decision.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the findings from the 17 schools audited in the 2020/21 financial year.

Schools Forum Members are asked to:

i)             Note the report

ii)            Offer any comments

iii)          Share with their wider school/sector colleagues

Officer contact: John Pearsall Telephone 0161 474 4033 Email: john.pearsall@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the findings from the 17 schools audited in the 2020/21 financial year.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members were advised that it had been challenging to carry out audits during the pandemic, however 17 had been completed.  Most identified risks had been attended to.

·         Some of the identified issues related to the procurement process and the fact that competitive quotes were often not being obtained or shared with governors. In addition, declarations of interest were not always completed, and some policies and procedures needed updating.

·         On a positive note, a lot of schools had moved to digital financial processes which was a real step forward.

·         Members of the Forum raised the issue of out of date information being contained within the Business Continuity Plan particularly in relation to Council staff and emergency contacts.  It was agreed that this would be fed back to the relevant officers.

·         A short discussion took place regarding what schools could do when they faced going into deficit.  Often, a separate resources committee could prove extremely helpful.

·         Members asked if it would be possible to share some of this information on the governors’ hub.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum Members with the final detailed analysis of the total school balances position recorded as at 31 March 2021.  The report also provides further detail of the schools reporting an excessive school surplus balance at 31 March 2021 (i.e. above the 12% threshold) and confirms application of the appropriate control mechanism process as defined in the Scheme for Financing Schools Document.

Schools Forum Members are asked to:

i)             Note the report

ii)            Offer any comments

Officer contact: Peter Hughes Telephone 0161 474 3947 Email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum Members with the final detailed analysis of the total school balances position recorded as at 31 March 2021.  The report also provided further detail of the schools reporting an excessive school surplus balance at 31 March 2021 (i.e. above the 12% threshold) and confirmed application of the appropriate control mechanism process as defined in the Scheme for Financing Schools Document.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A further report on this issue would be provided to School’s Forum in the Autumn.

·         The question was raised as to whether any Covid catch up monies that had not been spent would be included in the 12% threshold.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum Members with details of the final 2020/21 dedicated schools grant (DSG) final reported outturn position.

Schools’ Forum Members are requested to:

i)             Note the report

ii)            Offer any further comments

Officer contact:  Peter Hughes Telephone 0161 4774 3947 Email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided School’s Forum Members with details of the final 2020/21 dedicated schools grant (DSG) final reported outturn position.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum were advised that Local Authorities faced a very challenging financial position. There were many difficult issues to be resolved and Stockport Council remained committed to doing the right thing whilst balancing the budget and navigating through a very complex situation.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 gave a verbal report which updated School’s Forum members on the dedicated schools grant (DSG) review.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum were advised that fortnightly refence groups were being run with Head Teachers and that their input was much appreciated.

·         The DSG review was being reframed into the inclusion agenda.  Proposals in relation to this would be going to scrutiny committees in June.

·         It was planned that work would be done with internal colleagues on a sufficiency agenda.

·         The DSG Review remained on track to be completed in the next academic year.

RESOLVED – That the verbal report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the calendar dates of meetings agreed for the 2021/22 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 Deputy Chief Executive 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 2021/22 academic year.

The report 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 report provides 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.