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 Geraldine Gerrard and Emma Sorsby.

To record any observers present.

No observers were present.

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

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 October 2024 were approved as a correct record.

To discuss any matters arising.

Following the resignation of Keith Turmeau from the Forum, it was proposed that Mr Stephen Murphy, Headteacher of St Matthew's C of E Primary School be invited to replace him.  There were no objections to this.

Due to a clash of meetings, it was proposed that the March meeting of the Forum be moved to 3 April 2025.

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.

A representative of the Director of Finance and Director of Education, Work and Skills 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 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

A representative of the Director of Finance and Director of Education, Work and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided 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.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Forum asked about the like for like impact on pupil funding.

·         Members asked whether any reference was made to free school meals money.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

A representative of the Director of Finance and Director of Education, Work and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with an update on the excessive surplus balance control mechanism decisions to be applied for 2023/24.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The Forum was advised that this report provided an update to discussions that had previously been held at Schools Forum.

·         It was confirmed that the claw back was for maintained schools only, however all schools were subject to scrutiny and challenge by the Local Authority.

·         The Forum noted that the surplus balance amounts referred to those above the 12 per cent threshold.

·         It was confirmed that the Local Authority would be able to claw back monies from academy schools.

·         Any schools who were planning major building works would still be left with their 12 per cent threshold.

·         Members of the Forum expressed the importance of sustainability.

·         In response to a Member question, it was confirmed that the recovered money would be used to offset the Local Authority’s deficit position.

·         A short discussion took place relating to how building works would be funded from capital budgets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

A representative of the Director of Finance and Director of Education, Work and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which presented  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”

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The Forum noted that this report was a companion piece to the last paper.

·         A short discussion took place with regard to the second recommendation in the report, with some Members feeling that the 12 per cent threshold was too high and that the 5 per cent threshold was possibly too low.  This would be tricky for smaller schools with falling numbers to maintain. Would it be possible for an adjustment to be made on these levels in the future?

·         If this matter goes to consultation, would it be worth having different models to consult on?

·         There was a strong feeling among members of the Forum that these proposals need to be equitable.

·         Changing the threshold figures may reveal effective management. Some schools have continued to have excessive balances when SEND for example is in such need and having a big surplus does not strengthen the argument that the Local Authority and schools across the board are badly funded.

·         The Forum asked about possible training for governors in this area.

·         Would an annual review of these matters be possible? In response, the Forum was advised that Schools Forum would have to approve any revisions and that any change would mean going to consultation again.

·         It was noted that planning for the future was more difficult to do for nursery schools.

·         Members asked if it was known why there were some large balances, and whether it was about PAN / Staffing. Do the Governors of these schools know what the money is reserved for?

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted

(ii)  That following the consultation process, the matter comes back to Schools Forum for further discussion.

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

A representative of the Director of Finance and Director of Education, Work and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided 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.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The Forum was advised that more information would be brought to the Forum at the next meeting with regard to the budget setting process, budgets for each block and the central school services block.

·         Members asked if there were any proposals to help schools with falling rolls.

·         Members of the Forum felt that people should be heard and that children and the provision that they require should be at the forefront of any decision making.

·         Were more school places likely to be available in 2025?

·         The Forum was advised that due to rising demand, even more specialist provision was required.

·         Members requested a report on schools with falling numbers and the impact of the budget proposals on those schools.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the indicative allocation for central school services block as per section 5 of the report be noted.

(iii) That the de-delegated budget decisions for each service/activity area as at Section 6.6 in the report be formally confirmed.

(iv) That the indicative central reserve budget for 2025/26 at £1.5m as per section 6.7 of the report, be approved.

(v)  That the School Improvement ‘top-slice’ as per section 6.8 of the report, be approved.

(vi)  That the full 0.5% schools’ block transfer as per section 7.5 of the report, be approved.

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

A representative of the Strategic Lead for SEND, Inclusion and Access and Director of Education, Work and Skills gave a verbal report which provided Schools Forum Members with an update on the DSG Review and DBV Program.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The Forum was advised that there was likely to be a report in future relating to a change to the banded funding process as there were a number of inconsistencies.

·         In response to a Member question, the Forum was advised that analysis would be provided on whether assessments were correct and carried out at the right time.

·         Members asked for confirmation relating to whether the funding for the secondary transition project was continuing into the next academic year? 

RESOLVED – That the verbal report be noted.

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

A representative of the Director of Finance and Director of Education, Work and Skills provided a verbal report on School Meals/SLA provision.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The Forum was advised that more information on this subject would be provided as and when it was received.

RESOLVED – That the verbal report be noted.

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

A representative of the Director of Finance and Director of Education, Work and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum members with details of the remaining meeting dates for 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 provides 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.

The Forum was advised that the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education, Councillor Wendy Meikle had written to the Secretary of State to set out Stockport Council’s financial position and to request discussion around this.  Any updates would be provided to Schools Forum Members.