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 Stephen Murphy, Wendy Mason, Diana Horrocks and Geraldine Gerrard.

To record any observers present.

Emma Gerrard was in attendance as a observer.  Ms Gerrard confirmed that she was a member of the public who had an interest in agenda items 8 and 9.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2025.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 16 January 2025 were approved as a correct record.

To discuss any matters arising.

There were no 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.

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 Borough Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides Schools’ Forum Members with a final update on the construction of the 2025/26 totals schools’ budget.

Schools’ Forum is requested to note the report and offer any further comments.

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

A representative of the Direcor of Finance and Director of Education, Work & Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools’ Forum Members with a final update on the construction of the 2025/26 total schools’ budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides Schools Forum members feedback on the outcomes of the latest consultation undertaken with all school governing bodies in relation to the current excessive surplus balance control mechanism for schools as well as local authority views, considerations and proposed amendment(s) to the Scheme for Financing Schools document.

Schools’ Forum members are asked to

a)    Note the report

b)   Consider the views of the LA in response to the consultation feedback;

c)    Approve the proposed amendments to the Scheme presented; and

d)   Offer any further comments.

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

A representative of the Director of Finance and Director of Education, Work & Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Schools Forum members with feedback on the outcomes of the latest consultation undertaken with all school governing bodies in relation to the current excessive surplus balance control mechanism for schools as well as local authority views, considerations and proposed amendment(s) to the Scheme for Financing Schools document.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Schools Forum Members noted and were pleased with the number of responses that had been received to the consultation.

·         It was reported that the Local Authority were aware of the challenges and funding pressures within the system.  Officers were mindful of the themes that were being raised through the consultation feedback and it was acknowledged that schools do need to hold a balance for contingency reasons.  Good planning was vital and the proposals recognised this.  However, the reasons for holding the balance needs to be purposeful in terms of budgeting and transparency.

·         Some Schools Forum members felt that continued excess surplus balances are not helping the argument that Stokport is underfunded.

·         Members of the Forum asked whether holding reserves was still an option?

·         A short discussion took place on the wording of the options contained within the report and whether these were clear.

·         Members of the Forum asked about what would happen to the money that was clawed back and where this would go? In response, the Forum was advised that discussions were ongoing with senior leaders about this matter.

·         Would it be possible for any of the clawed back money to be used to assist with the significant falling rolls positions?

·         Some members of the Forum felt that the options were somewhat vague and that this was worrying for schools.  It was also felt to be very important that the whole range of views given in the consultation should be expressed in the options provided.

·         It was considered by some Schools Forum members that Chairs of Primary School Governors would have approved the higher level as they wanted to have a safety net for unexpected things that might crop up and there was also a lack of confidence in government spending in the future.

·         It was suggested that the vote on the proposals in the report should be postponed in order that Schools Forum members could have a clear understanding of them and that the possibility of misinterpretation was lessened.

·         The Forum was advised that if a decision was not made at the May meeting, then the 12% threshold would remain in place.

·         It was emphasised that any clawed back money needed to be spent wisely and used in the best possible way to help all children within the Borough.

RESOLVED (i) That voting on this item be deferred until the May meeting of Schools’ Forum, as there was concern around the wording of the options to be voted on.

(ii) Voting will take place at the next meeting of Schools’ Forum but prior to that, Jo Harrington will proof read the wording to ensure clarity.

(iii) Three options will be presented at the May meeting as follows:

·         Schools will be permitted to retain a surplus balance up to 5%

·         Schools will be permitted to retain a surplus balance up to 8%

·         Schools will be permitted to retain a surplus balance up to 10%

The Local Authority may include additional flexibility to any/all of the above to permit a higher balance than the threshold level subject to prior approval of any school requests regarding identified purposeful spend required in the future as per the email sent by Peter Hughes on 4 April 2025.

To Consider a report of the Director of Education, Work & Skills.

The report outlines data relating to falling rolls and excess surplus places across Stockport.

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

Officer Contact: Christopher Harland, 0161 474 3948 or email; Christopher.harland@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Education, Work & Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which outlned data relating to falling rolls and excess surplus places across Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was pointed out that funding is dependent on pupil numbers and as such it was important to consider the long term impact of falling rolls.  In addition, it was important to know which schools have dwindling capacity.

·         The building of new houses would put pressure in some areas and not in others.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The presentation provides an update on the DBV programme.

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 updated Schools’ Forum members on the DBV programme.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was acknowledged that there was huge pressure on SEND from every direction.

·         Members of the Forum asked where the demand was coming from.  In response, the Forum was advised that there had been 268 EHCP plan requests this year and that 150 of these were from parents.

·         What could schools as a community do to explain that an EHCP was not always necessary and that in house provision was excellent?

·         It was suggested that this matter could be raised with local MP’s.

RESOLVED – That the verbal report be noted.

To Consider a Report of the Director of Finance and Director of Education, Work & Skills.

The report provides an update on the deficit position (update and forecast); the local issues, mitigations and risks; and local authority options for consideration and discussion.

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

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

A representative of the Director of Finance and the Director of Educaion, Work and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the deficit position (update and forecast); the local issues, mitigations and risks; and local authority options for consideration and discussion.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The benefits of building relationships with partners and stakeholders was emphasised.

·         Members stressed how important it was for people to respond to consultations on these matterswhenever they possibly could.

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 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.

No other business matters were discussed.