Agenda

To report any apologies for absence or substitutions.

To record any observers present.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2024.

To discuss any matters arising.

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

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

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

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with an update of the key schools funding announcements for 2025/26 financial year emanating from the Chancellors Budget Statement released on 30 October 2024.

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

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email  peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

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

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with an update on the excessive surplus balance control mechanism decisions to be applied for 2023/24.

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

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email  peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

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

The report presents Schools’ Forum members with options for consultation and potential amendment to the Scheme for Financing Schools document relating to the “Schools excessive surplus balance control mechanism”

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report;

b)   Offer any comments; and

c)    Determine consultation options to be presented to all school governing bodies.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email  peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

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

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with:

1.1         an update on the construction of the 2025/26 totals schools’ budget;

1.2         an update on the dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficit position; and

1.3         To discuss and seek views on budget proposals from the LA and where appropriate seek members approval.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report;

b)   Give views on the budget plans and principles outlined in section 4 for early years block;

c)    Note the indicative allocation for central school services block as per section 5;

d)   Give views on the schools’ block local funding formula model and minimum funding guarantee (MFG) proposals as per section 6.3 & 6.5;

e)    Determine the de-delegation decisions for 2025/26 as per section 6.6;

f)     Approve the indicative central reserve budget for 2025/26 at £1.5m as per section 6.7;

g)   Approve the School Improvement “top-slice” as per section 6.8;

h)   Give views on the draft local specialist SEN places to be commissioned in 2025/26 as per section 7.3; and

i)     Discuss and approve the full 0.5% schools’ block transfer be approved for 2025/26 as per section 7.5.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email  peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a verbal presentation of the Strategic Lead for SEND, Inclusion and Access and Director of Education, Work and Skills.

The presentation provides an update on the DSG review and DBV Program Update.

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

Officer contact Geraldine Gerrard, 0161 474 3837 or email: Geraldine.gerrard@stockport.gov.uk

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

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

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email  peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

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

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the remaining meeting dates for 2024/25 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 on 0161 474 3947 or email peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

To discuss any other business.