Print

The School Forum who are they and what do they do click here for further information

Welcome to the 13th edition of the Schools Forum Newsletter……..


In this issue, we are including key points from the Schools Forum meeting held on 10 December 2015 particularly; Early Years update, Terms of Reference/Membership update, Scheme for Financing Schools 2015 proposed amendments, DSG Review Group update and the 2016/17 Budget. A full copy of the minutes will be made available via the Council web-site in due course, see section 12 below.
Schools Forum Meeting 10 December 2015 – Key Points


1. Matters Arising from 22 September 2015 Meeting minutes

 

Minutes accepted as true and correct record.
No matters arising

2. EARLY YEARS UPDATE
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: Group discussion took place relating to the current surplus place levels in maintained nursery schools/classes (approx. 30% Sept 2015) and the sustainability issue this presents. Schools with nursery provision are increasingly facing the need to subsidise their nursery costs via funding provided for Reception to Year 6 pupils through the local formula.
Decisions: N/A

Actions:
1. Phil Beswick to include matters (i.e. Sustainability and Nursery admission arrangements on the next Early Years Strategic Group meeting next week and invite David Marshall to attend; and
2. Glenda to provide a further update in the future.

3. TERMS OF REFERENCE / MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: The report provided the final detail/update of the Stockport Schools Forum Terms of Reference document for the 2015/16 academic year.
Decisions:
1. Final proposed amendments relating to membership/election process and Executive lead member role approved and document now finalised for 2015/16 academic year.

Actions:
1. N/A

4. SCHOOLS & EARLY YEARS FINANCE (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2015 CONSULTATION


Report presented as tabled
Discussions: N/A
Decisions:
N/A

Actions:
1. Peter Hughes provide feedback at future meetings as required relating to any DfE feedback/changes received relating to the proposed changes to the regulations.

5. SCHEME FOR FINANCING SCHOOLS – 2015 PROPOSALS
Report presented as tabled.
Discussions: A thorough discussion took place in relation to three key aspects:
a) The proposed amendment at section 6.2.30 of the consultation document relating to the Admission appeals process costs charged to schools, if funding has been delegated to schools;
b) Length of the consultation period; and
c) The proposal to only seek responses from schools which have any objection(s) to the proposed amendments.

Decisions:
1. Consultation document to be launched as per draft document presented and discussed; and
2. LA to proceed as planned and therefore only requires a response from schools which have any objection(s) to the proposed amendments.

Actions:
1. Peter Hughes to issue communication to schools leaders & Chair of Governors (w/c 14 Dec) outlining the consultation document/period;
2. Consultation document to be launched 4 January 2016;
3. Peter Hughes to provide final detail of the proposed amendments to the Scheme to Forum members for approval at the meeting scheduled for 17 March 2016.

6. 2015 COMPREHENSIVE SPEND REVIEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
A verbal update was provided outlining the key education funding issues emanating from the autumn statement released by the Chancellor on 25 November 2015.
Discussions: A short discussion took place on some of the key issues, including:
• F40 Lobby group role, actions and progress on proposed new funding formula;
• Capital funding and planned investment; and
• The new Apprenticeship tax levy system.

Decisions:
N/A

Actions:
1. Peter Hughes to provide a formal report on the announcements at the January meeting and provide update on any items/issues as further detail emerges from central government.

7. DSG REVIEW GROUP UPDATE
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: a short discussion took place on some of the items identified within the “quick wins” area and the potential impact on frontline schools/pupils. (i.e. LSS).
Decisions:
1. Schools Forum members endorsed the series of plans/savings identified and presented in sections 4 & 5 of the report.

Actions:
1. Local Authority to proceed with 2016/17 budget setting process and plan/timeline outlined and provide update/reports to Schools Forum as required; and
2. DSG Review Group to reconvene in March 2016.

8. 2016/17 BUDGET
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: A detailed discussion took place in relation to de-delegation of funding from the maintained secondary schools relating to the Ethnic Diversity and Behaviour Support service areas.
Decisions:
1. Primary sector agreed to de-delegate in full for all 6 areas as outlined in the table at section 6.4;
2. Secondary schools agreed “in principle” to the reduced de-delegated package offered by Behaviour Support Service in response to head teacher request received via the consortia and reps will seek full approval at first consortia meeting in new year; and
3. Ethnic Diversity to create and present an alternative model proposal for secondary schools to consider at first consortia meeting planned in the new year.

Actions:
1. LA officers provide information as detailed above to secondary consortia and final decision(s) determined at consortia meeting and feedback to Peter Hughes.

9. 2016/17 INDICATIVE APT RETURN
Report presented as tabled

10. SCHOOLS FORUM – SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS & TRAINING
Report presented as tabled

11. Any Other Business:
The half hour pre agenda session will be utilised at the next meeting (21 January 2016) to provide members with an overview of the DSG framework / operational matters, etc.
Peter Hughes requested that any specific questions/issues members may have are forwarded in advance where possible so that the presentation can be shaped to cover all such issues/areas.


12. 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

{jcomments off}