Agenda and minutes

Redevelopment comprising the repurposing of existing buildings and erection of new buildings for a mix of uses comprising 253no, residential homes alongside flexible commercial space (Use Class E), drinking establishments (Sui Generis Use), and hot food takeaways (Sui Generis Use); partial demolition, new public realm, vehicular access, car parking and cycle parking, and associated works.

The Committee is recommended to grant listed building consent.

Officer contact: Emma Curle, planning.dc@stockport.gov.uk

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 Anne Trafford, Paul Milton and Lucy Cooney.

To record any observers present.

Emma Morton was in attendance as an observer.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 20 May 2021 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 Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the Terms of Reference (ToR) document and any proposed amendment(s), a membership update and requests members to discuss/determine any further actions required (induction element).

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report;

b)   Note the LA position in terms of review of the Schools’ Forum ToR document;

c)    Acknowledge and discuss the latest position on membership/vacancies as per section 3.5 / Appendix 1; and

d)    Note the position in relation to attendance of members.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or 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 Terms of Reference (ToR) document and any proposed amendment(s), a membership update and requests members to discuss/determine any further actions required (induction element).

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         An annual induction session was to be held on 14 October 2021 for new members of the Forum.

·         There were no new membership changes to report.

·         The term of office of Jo Lowe, Headteacher at Kingsway and the Academy representative, ends in November 2021.  This matter was to be agreed and discussed with others form the academy sector ahead of the next meeting.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii)  That the Local Authority position in terms of review of the Schools’ Forum ToR document be noted.

(iii) The latest position on membership /vacancies as per section 3.5/Appendix 1 be noted.

(iv) The position in relation to attendance of members be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2022/23 Schools Funding announcement.

Schools forum members are asked to note the report.

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 Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2022/23 Schools Funding announcement.

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 latest consultation document released by the Department for Education (DfE) relating to reforms to the Schools National Funding Formula (NFF) model; and presents and discusses a draft response to the said consultation.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report;

b)   Discuss the consultation document material / aspects; and

c)    Offer any further comments / additions to the consultation response.

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 Schools’ Forum members with details of the latest consultation document released by the Department for Education (DfE) relating to reforms to the Schools National Funding Formula (NFF) model; and presents and discusses a draft response to the said consultation.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A short discussion took place relating to the differences between the hard and soft funding formula.

·         Forum members also asked questions regarding SEND reforms and when consultations were due/expected.

·         Members of the Forum agreed that where appropriate, the draft consultation response would be amended to respond in a ‘NO, not until’ stance rather than a ‘Yes, but’ stance to the DfE proposals.

RESOLVED (i) That the report be noted

(ii) That a representative of the Deputy Chief Executive would submit an amended response to the DfE portal this evening.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2022/23 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline. The report also discusses the local options and overall construction of the 2022/23 total Schools Budget financed by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), and further discusses 2022/23 budget matters requiring consultation and the management of the DSG deficit position.

Schools’ Forum members 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 2 December 2021 meeting.

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 Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2022/23 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline. The report also discussed the local options and overall construction of the 2022/23 total Schools Budget financed by deployment of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), and further discusses 2022/23 budget matters requiring consultation and the management of the DSG deficit position.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum discussed the issue of local funding formula for primary schools and whether the 2022/23 model should remain as it was or be updated so that it began to move towards the NFF model.

·         In response to a question raised, Members of the Forum were advised on the de-delegation options available to schools for 2022/23 under the ‘soft’ NFF model/reforms.

·         The Director of Education outlined the Local Authority stance with regard to needs and transfers and why block transfers were sought/actioned.

RESOLVED – (i) that the report be noted.

(ii) Officers to discuss the local funding formula options and to determine whether consultation was required and/or appropriate ahead of 2022/23.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         In response to a question relating to timings of service changes, Members of the Forum were advised that this would need to go through appropriate governance channels.

·         Members commented that a vote on de-delegation funding may be necessary as governors may not know the detail.

RESOLVED – (i) That the verbal presentation be noted.

(ii) Officers to provide a briefing for Governors.

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.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members were advised that the meeting to be held on 24 March 2022 would now be held on 31 March 2022 to avoid a clash with the primary Head Teacher conference.

·         Members discussed the matter of virtual or face to face meetings and what was best in terms of attendance, convenience and transport etc.  The consensus was that Members did not mind whether meetings were face to face or virtual but they did not want a hybrid of both.  It was agreed that at least one meeting per year would be held face to face.

·         The next meeting of the Schools Forum on 2 December would commence at 4pm.

RESOLVED (I) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the matter of virtual or face to face meetings be subject to ongoing review.

To discuss any other business.

There was no other business.

The next meeting of Schools Forum will take place on Thursday 2 December will take place at 4pm.