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 12 December 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 the final details of the 2025/26 Schools Funding announcement by Department for Education (DfE) on 18 December 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 details of the 2025/26 DSG allocation. 

The report further provides Schools’ Forum members with an update on the construction of the 2025/26 totals schools’ budget, and details of the final early years and schools block budgets

Schools’ Forum members are asked to:

a)    Note the report;

b)   Provide any comments on the final budget plans outlined in section 3 / Appendices 1-2 for early years block;

c)    Approve the updated budget allocations for the central school services block as per section 4 / Appendix 3;

d)   Provide any comments on the final schools’ block local funding formula model as per section 5 and the overview table at section 5.9 / Appendix 4

e)    Approve the adjusted central reserve budget for 2024/25 at £1.909m as per section 5.5

f)     Note the final de-delegated budget allocations at section 5.7 which are aligned to the decisions confirmed at the last meeting;

g)   Give views/comments on the high needs block information as per section 6.

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 final 2025/26 Local Authority (LA) annual pro-forma toolkit (APT) return to be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE).

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 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 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.