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 Wendy Mason, Ian Irwin, Stephen Campbell and Geraldine Gerrard.

To record any observers present.

No observers were present.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2024.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 23 May 2024 were approved as a correct record.

To discuss any matters arising.

There were no matters arising.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Assistant Director of Finance.

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 Assistant Director of Finance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated), which provided Schools’ Forum with an executive summary of the business matters on the agenda for consideration.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Summary be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Assistant Director of Finance.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the findings from the 12 schools audited in the 2023/24 financial year.

School Forum members are asked to note the report, offer any comments and share with their wider school/sector colleagues.

Officer contact: John Pearsall on 0161 474 4177 or email john.pearsall@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Borough Treasurer and Assistant Director of Finance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the findings from the 12 schools audited in the 2023/34 financial year.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         In relation to the point regarding lack of challenge by governors, members of the Forum enquired whether this issue could be added on to the briefing papers for governors?  In response, the Forum was advised that this could be done but it may not happen until the spring term.

·         Forum Members asked whether developing a Webinar on this area would be possible?

·         The Forum was advised that problems arose mainly out of not following policy or that the policy was out of date, rather than not knowing about policy.  This tended to be more of a secondary than primary issue.

·         Members of the Forum commented that it was a good idea to have practices and run throughs, as this was a good way of learning whether your plans and policies actually work.

·         In response to a Member question, the Forum was advised that the matrix should be reviewed every year, preferably in the Autumn term.

·         Members felt that they would like more training and support on audit issues.

·         It was felt that learning was not being taken from the audit reports and that the reports should be used as a reboot.  New governors need to be aware of these issues and perhaps they could be embedded into the cluster meetings?

·         The Forum was advised that more training would be given on business continuity with a particular emphasis on cyber security.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Assistant Director of Finance.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the Terms of Reference (ToR) document and any proposed amendment(s). The report also provides Schools’ Forum members with a membership update.

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

A representative of the Borough Treasurer and Assistant Director of Finance 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). The report also provided Schools’ Forum members with a membership update.

RESOLVED – that the 2024/25 Schools’ Forum TOR/Membership Update be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Assistant Director of Finance.

The report provides Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2025/26 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline.

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

A representative of the Borough Treasurer and Assistant Director of Finance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided  Schools’ Forum members with details of the 2025/26 budget setting requirements, plans and indicative timeline.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum asked how many more years it would take to move to a national funding formula.  In response, the Forum was advised that this was likely to be 2/3 years away.

·         A small discussion took place relating to de-delegation and whether this could be raised at the Head Teachers Consortium?

·         The subject of school balances would need to be returned to and all options in this area considered.

·         The Chair of the Forum requested that officers brought some recommendations relating to school balances to the Schools’ Forum and that enough time was built into the agenda to discuss the options.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Director of Education, Work and Skills gave a verbal presentation which provided an update on the DSG Review and the DBV Program Update.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The demand for EHCP assessments had dropped slightly in the last six months.

·         It was suggested that it might be useful for the Forum to have a specific presentation on the work being done by officers and others in this area.

·         There had been an extra emphasis on neuro-diversity work and shifting focus to a non-diagnostic model.

·         Pressure on CAMHS remained incredibly high.

·         A better system was required that was easier for everyone to navigate.

·         The point was made that there were a number of schools who have had a sudden influx of pupils with high needs and why this might be.

RESOLVED – That the verbal presentation be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and the Assistant Director of Finance.

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

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 2024/25 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 be noted.

To discuss any other business.

It was agreed that the following two issues would be discussed at the next meeting of Schools’ Forum:

1.    Free School meals (universal and public premium)

2.    Buy backs and value for money.