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Welcome to the 20th edition of the Schools Forum Newsletter........
In this issue, we are including key points from the Schools Forum meeting held on 18 May 2017 particularly; Schools Budget 2016/17 Final Outturn, The 2016/17 Final School Balances, School Insurance Schemes 2016/17 Outturn, Schools Financial Value Standard, Schools Formula Funding and DSG Review Update. A full copy of the minutes will be made available via the Council web-site in due course, see section 10 below.
Schools Forum Meeting 18 May 2017 – Key Points


1. Matters Arising from 16 March 2017 Meeting minutes
Peter Hughes provided update in relation to item 13 (i) School Water Sewerage charges – Following the lobbying of United Utilities (UU) Water Company (campaign led by Sefton Council) we have received notification that UU will reduce school charges by 50% in 2018/19 and will also be applying a retrospective 15% credit to the 2017/18 school bills. Peter Hughes and Stephen Bell will co-ordinate a communication to all schools shortly.

2. SCHOOLS BUDGET 2016/17 FINAL OUTTURN
Report presented as tabled
Discussion: Peter Hughes outlined the net adjusted final outturn (£0.417m) is to be credited to the DSG reserve and will be utilised to support the 2018/19 budget setting process (see Agenda Item 12).
Decisions: N/A.

Actions:
1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report.

3. 2016/17 FINAL SCHOOL BALANCES
Report presented as tabled

Discussions: N/A
Decisions: N/A

Actions:
1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report; and
2. Further update on outcomes of excessive surplus balance control mechanism to be provided in due course.

4. SCHOOL INSURANCE SCHEMES 2016/17 FINAL OUTTURN


Report presented as tabled
Discussions:
Report outlined that the two schemes had reported a minor operational loss for 2016/17 and the LA proposed to offset the year-end losses against the centrally held reserve and no further action required at present.
A query was raised in relation to the increased administrative recharge to be applied to each of the schemes in 2017/18 as per section 3.5 of the report.
Decisions: N/A
Actions:
1. Peter Hughes to discuss with Insurance team and provide feedback to Schools Forum members.
2. Schools’ Forum members note the report; and
3. Support the LA proposal for no further action.

5. SCHOOLS FINANCIAL VALUE STANDARD (SFVS)
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: Peter Hughes presented a formal report which provided details of the 2016/17 support provided to schools, the key findings and 100% compliance of all schools with the mandatory requirement.
Decisions: N/A

Actions:
1. Schools’ Forum members note the report; and
2. Share the information with the wider school sector population.

6. SCHOOLS FORMULA FUNDING – NATIONAL COMPARATIVE DATA
Report presented as tabled

Discussions: Peter Hughes presented formal report which provided members with details of all other LA funding formula comparative data for 2017/18 as distributed by the DfE. Unfortunately it is not possible to update the DfE document with details of the SMBC local funding formula until a separate document is received from the DfE. Any members wishing to compare SMBC formula data to the DfE document will be required to refer to the LA Schools Formula data provided in the January 2017 report to members.

Decisions: Peter Hughes to provide an updated version of the document upon receipt of the required document from the DfE.

Actions:
1. Schools’ Forum members note the report; and
2. Peter Hughes to provide updated version in due course (subject to receipt of the required document from the DfE).

7. DSG REVIEW UPDATE
Report presented as tabled

Discussions:
Peter Hughes presented report which outlined the key areas of work within the three funding blocks in relation to 2018/19 budget setting and beyond. Key matters relating to schools and high needs block activities were subject to any further announcements due following the recent Stage 2 consultations.

Sue Challinor raised query in relation to Resourced Provision funding model and program of works/timeframe. It was outlined this strand of the program was expected to commence in autumn 2017 and continue potentially until autumn 2018 with any planned changes to take effect from April or September 2019.

Decisions: N/A

Actions:
1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report; and
2. Further update to be provided in due course as appropriate.

8. SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS/TRAINING
Report presented as tabled

Discussions:
Schools’ Forum members raised no objections to the proposed dates and therefore the dates will be confirmed for the new 2017/18 academic year.
There is currently no planned Schools Forum business for the 6 July meeting and due to absence of Schools Finance Manager it is proposed the 6 July meeting is postponed.
It was outlined therefore that there should be no requirement to hold a further meeting this term, however this is subject to any key announcements/urgent business matters that may require attention following any DfE announcements post General Election in relation to Schools Funding and particularly the recent Stage 2 Consultation matters.

Decisions:
Schools Forum meeting scheduled for 6 July 2017 to be cancelled.
Schools’ Forum members requested to keep diaries available (where possible) for meeting on 13 or 20 July 2017 for urgent Schools Forum meeting if required.

Actions:
1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report and the 2017/18 academic year meeting dates.

9. A.O.B.
a) Schools Forum Association – The Chair of the Forum has recently received information from a Governor/Chair of Forum in London Authority who is seeking expressions of interest from other LA’s/Schools Forum in relation to the creation of an Association. The Association would be a potential conduit for key information exchange, colleague dialogue, training/development materials, access to key DfE Policy Advisors, etc, etc. No cost information is available at this stage and Chair sought approval from Members to pursue / express an interest at this stage on behalf of the Forum.

b) Debbie Grindrod (HT St George’s) has tendered her resignation and a vacancy now exists for a primary HT rep. Peter Hughes will contact Chair of the Primary Headteacher Consortia (PHC) to seek new representative.

c) Meeting Times: Confirmation following discussion at last meeting that all meetings will now be as follows:
4.00pm Pre Agenda
4.30pm Main Business
6.00pm Close of Meeting

10. Where do I find Schools Forum Information?

The Schools Forum meetings are held, administered and clerked in accordance with any other council meetings and the minutes are recorded and presented on the councils web-site alongside all Schools Forum business matters (i.e. reports), please find link below:

http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=159

11. Schools Forum Contacts:

Schools Forum Clerk: democratic.services at stockport.gov.uk

Schools Forum Chair:
Paul Carter – Governor at St James School

Schools Forum Service Director:
Phil Beswick, Services to People Directorate

Schools Forum Finance Officer:
Peter Hughes, CSS Manager, Finance