NEWSLETTER 29 – May 2019

Welcome to the 29th edition of the Schools’ Forum Newsletter……..

In this issue, we are including key points from the Schools’ Forum meeting held on 23 May 2019 particularly; School Places, SEN monitoring, DSG 2018/19 Outturn, 2018/19 Final School Balances, SFVS, DSG Review and School Insurance Schemes 2018/19 outturn. A full copy of the minutes will be made available via the Council web-site in due course, see section 11 below.

Schools’ Forum Meeting 23 May 2019 – Key Points

1. MATTERS ARISING PREVIOUS MINUTES

Jon Roper (Primary HT) raised matter of published minutes not presenting a full and clear picture of the meeting discussions/debate undertaken – LA officers to feedback to democratic services.

Education Healthy Schools Capital fund:

Discussion took place in relation to LA decision making/process and final determination of how funding to be distributed – LA officers to provide further update/report on progress/final spend and address any further SF member queries raised in due course.

 

2. SCHOOL PLACES

Report presented as tabled

 

 

Discussion:

Concern raised that the report/update provided did not fully address the key matter raised at last meeting in full. LA officers outlined the decisions made in past would have been based on the data, trends and forecast information as available at the time and the landscape is ever changing. Re-rationalisation of schools could be considered as option given the different baseline position now in certain areas. The Manchester special framework would be a key component for all future school place considerations and plans.

 

Decisions:

1. N/A

Actions:

1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report; and
2. LA officers to provide update on options / plans for school places.

3. SEN EXTERNAL PLACEMENT MONITORING

Report presented as tabled and noted

Discussions:

The following comments/observations:

• Request that LA ensure all external providers are compliant with “ethical” procurement requirements (i.e. adherence to teachers pay and conditions); and
• Quality assurance should not just rely on Ofsted judgements alone (i.e. LA should undertake some appropriate “spot checks” on providers).

Decisions: N/A

 

Actions:

1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report.

4. DSG 2018/19 FINAL OUTTURN

Report presented as tabled

Discussions: N/A

Decisions:  N/A

Actions:

1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report.

5. DSG REVIEW UPDATE

Report presented as tabled

 

Discussions:

A discussion took place in relation to:

• Trade Union representative not received invite to review group meeting; and
• Reps made reference to should a HT from a “Resourced Provision” school be on the review group.

Decisions:

1. PH to forward invite to meeting to Trade Union rep;
2. LA to liaise with HT’s and ensure a Resourced Provision” school HT included in DSG Review and/or any specific work stream activity.

Actions:

1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report.

6. SCHOOL INSURANCE SCHEMES 2018/19 OUTTURN

Report presented as tabled

Discussions:

A short discussion took place covering:

• Insight to analysis undertaken to inform the 2019/20 premium increases;
• Request to review the “Capping” amendment included in scheme from 1.4.19; and
• The external market providing schemes for such matters are increasing their premiums considerably more than the LA.

Decisions:

SF members gave a view that the preferred option for deployment of 2018/19 year-end reported surplus was to reimburse schools in the BoR scheme (i.e. redistribute the £0.173m surplus)

 

Actions:

1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report; and
2. SF views to be discussed/fed back with Insurance team colleagues re year-end deployment options.

7. 2018/19 FINAL SCHOOL BALANCES

Report presented as tabled.

Discussions:

A short discussion took place relating to:

• Many schools still facing difficult financial positions;
• Many schools having to reduce staffing levels;
• Final outturn figures not always provide detail of the fuller picture for every individual school

 

Decisions:

1. N/A

Actions:

1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report.

 

8. SCHOOLS FINANCIAL VALUE STANDARD

Report presented as tabled

Discussions:

Request for any future training planned for Governors relating to the new SFVS for 2019/20 to be extended to include head teachers also.

Decisions:

1. N/A

Actions:

1. Schools’ Forum members note the report.

9. SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS/TRAINING

Report presented as tabled

 

Discussions:

Short discussion took place in relation to requirement for final 2018/19 academic year meeting in July and the proposed dates for the new 2019/20 academic year

Decisions:

1. Members requested to keep 11 July 2019 meeting in diaries at present as likely agenda items to include DfE SEND “call for evidence” / DSG Review updates and any matters relating to comprehensive spend review.
2. 2019/20 meeting dates amended as follows:
   1. First spring term 2020 meeting moved to Tuesday 21 January to avoid clash with primary head teacher residential conference; and
   2. Second spring term 2020 meeting should read Thursday 26 March

 

Actions:

1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Schools’ Forum Chairperson thanked Cllr Malcolm Allen for his valuable contribution to meetings over his tenure.

11. 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