Agenda and minutes

The Chair, Emma Hill, welcomed members to this meeting of Schools’ Forum.

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Emma Sorsby, Wendy Mason, Stephen Campbell and Ian Irwin.

To record any observers present.

No observers were present.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th May 2023.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18May 2023 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 and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with an executive summary report of the business matters included on the main agenda.

A representative of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated), which provided the forum with an executive summary of the business matters on the agenda for consideration.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the findings from the 18 schools audited in the 2022/23 financial year.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to note the report, present any questions and offer any further comments.

Officer contact: John Eaves, Telephone; 0161 474 4177 Email: john.eaves@stockport.gov.uk

The Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the findings from the 18 schools audited in the 2022/23 financial year.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum asked whether council provision of services offered the best value for money?

·         Following a question regarding the role of school finance officers, the Forum was advised that the school finance team were there to support schools and schools could contact the team at any time for advice and support.

·         A discussion took place regarding governor challenge and the need to have governors who were focused and asked the right questions.  School finance is a very complex issue, and it remained a challenge to acquire governors with the right skill set.  In addition, the Forum felt that this was a lot to ask of a volunteer group. It was acknowledged that the current situation with school finances made governor challenge even more difficult.  Schools’ Forum members asked whether some of these issues could be covered in governor training, so that governors knew which questions to ask or whether a checklist could be provided?

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with detail of the Terms of Reference (ToR) document and any proposed amendment(s), a membership update and any further actions required.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report;

b)    Accept the Schools’ Forum ToR document;

c)    Acknowledge and discuss the latest position on membership/vacancies as per section 3.5 / Appendix 2; and

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

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

A representative of the Borough Treasurer and 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 any further actions required.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Linda Hanson confirmed that she is to step down to enable her to concentrate on other commitments.  The Chair thanked Linda for her valuable contribution to Schools’ Forum.

·         Jo Harrington confirmed that she was happy to continue as a member of Schools Forum.

·         Members of the Forum asked if the issue of nursery schools voting on de-delegation could be raised.

RESOLVED – 

a)    That the report be noted

b)    That Schools’ Forum accept the ToR document;

c)    That Schools’ Forum acknowledge and note the latest position on membership/vacancies as per section 3.5 / Appendix 2; and

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

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2024/25 Schools Funding Announcement.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to note the report, present any questions and offer any further comments.

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

A representative of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2024/25 Schools Funding Announcement.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A short discussion took place in relation to section 2.7 of the report.  It was clarified that the monies in relation to the provision of free school meals was a one-off local decision and was for one year only at the present time.

·         In response to a member question regarding pay policy, the Forum was advised that as further details were known, these would be communicated via the usual channels.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with an overview of the DFE consultation launched in the summer of 2023 relating to “EY Funding Entitlements Extension 2024/25” and the Local Authority response submitted prior to the 8 September 2023 deadline.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to note the report, present any questions and offer any further comments.

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

A representative of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with an overview of the DFE consultation launched in the summer of 2023 relating to “EY Funding Entitlements Extension 2024/25” and the Local Authority response submitted prior to the 8 September 2023 deadline.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum stated that they agreed with the responses that had been provided by the Local Authority.

·         It was agreed that the fundamental issue was that the amount of money currently being received for Early Years was insufficient.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the latest position relating to the DSG funding levels, deficit position and current landscape of demand and cost pressures.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to note the report, present any questions and offer any further comments.

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

The Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the latest position relating to the DSG funding levels, deficit position and current landscape of demand and cost pressures.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The Forum was advised that this was a very serious situation, and that change was necessary in order to get the best outcomes for children.

·         The Chair wished it to be noted that the Forum was glad that things were happening, and that people were willing to get involved.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2024/25 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report

b)   Give views on the planned consultation proposals section 4.4

c)    Discuss the de-delegation options (section 4.6) with wider primary and secondary maintained school colleagues and report back with decision making at the 7 December 2023 meeting.

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

A representative of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2024/25 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was clarified that information in relation to budget plans would be sent out via all available channels.

·         A short discussion took place relating to the implications and consequences of voting no on the de-delegation issue.

·         Schools’ Forum members were asked to speak with their wider colleagues with regard to the budget plan and available options.

·         It was agreed that Schools Forum members would be provided with an update on all relevant services, and it was noted that once that service had gone it could not be got back.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Work and Skills

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the recent “Schools Strategy” report presented by the Director of Education, Work and Skills to the Children, Families and Education Scrutiny Committee.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to note the report, discuss the aspects outlined at section 2.4 and offer any further comments.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman, Telephone; 0161 474 3947 Email: tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Education, Work and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the recent “Schools Strategy” report presented by the Director of Education, Work and Skills to the Children, Families and Education Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was clarified to Forum members that the school’s strategy was not about ‘academising’ the school system.

·         In relation to nursery schools, some Forum members felt that there were different models available which Stockport had not explored and asked how nursery schools fitted in to the strategy?

·         Members also considered that there was a ‘light touch’ in relation to Roman Catholic and faith schools and asked how they also fitted in?

·         Members raised the issue of school places and school transport and how more and more problems were emerging in this area.

·         The Forum was advised that the strategy had been well received by the DfE and was considered a positive way forward.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Work and Skills.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with an outline of the changes that will be required to support school improvement activity in Stockport.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to note the report, present any questions and offer any further comments.

Officer contact: Lynn Perry, Telephone; 0161 474 3947 Email: lynn.perry@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Education, Work and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with an outline of the changes that would be required to support school improvement activity in Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was noted that further detail needed to be provided on this matter and that it was to be discussed at the December meeting of Schools Forum.

·         Members enquired whether it would be possible to have a session on ‘poverty proofing’ as it was thought that this could be really useful.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a verbal presentation of the Strategic Lead (SEND).

The presentation provides Schools’ Forum members with an overview of the current position in terms of SEND, a sufficiency update and an overview of the Delivering Better Value (DbV) program.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to note and comment on the presentation.

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

The Strategic Lead (SEND) gave a verbal presentation which provided Schools’ Forum members with an overview of the current position in terms of SEND, a sufficiency update and an overview of the Delivering Better Value (DbV) program.

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the calendar dates of meetings agreed for the 2023/24 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 report;

b) Request any reports for future meetings;

c) Discuss and propose any amendments to the forward planner and

d)  Request any items for training/development sessions

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

A representative of the Borough Treasurer and 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 2023/24 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 provided Schools’ Forum members with the opportunity to request any items for training/development sessions.

RESOLVED – That the report and changed meeting dates of Schools Forum be noted.

To discuss any other business.

There was no further business.