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Welcome to the 15th edition of the Schools Forum Newsletter……..
In this issue, we are including key points from the Schools Forum meeting held on 19 May 2016 particularly; update on Early Years consultation matters, Administration changes relating to High Needs Funding, National Fairer Funding Formula consultation (phase 1), School Balances, 2015/16 out-turn and SFVS 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 19 May 2016 – Key Points
- 1.Matters Arising from 17 March 2015 Meeting minutes
Minutes accepted as true and correct record.
Matters arising:
Item 13 DSG Review Group - PH informed members that due to the imminent release of the phase 2 consultation document relating to implementation of a new National Fairer Funding Formula (NFFF) from April 2017, that the next meeting of the review group would now be deferred to September so that the content/context of the consultation can be reviewed and impact on Stockport funding levels assessed.
- 2.30 HOURS CHILDCARE AND DfE CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: G B presented a paper which provided details/update on key early years matters and current consultation documents released by the DfE. Stockport Council has submitted an initial EOI for Capital grant funding and is also an Early Innovator LA as part of the pilot program for the extension to 30hours childcare from September 2017, focusing on the sufficiency and flexibility matters.
Decisions: N/A
Actions:
- Further updates to be provided to Schools Forum members as appropriate
- 3.INTER-AUTHORITY RECOUPMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIGH NEEDS TOP-UP FUNDING
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: CL presented report outlining the proposal for all local maintained settings (Schools/PRUs) to recoup directly themselves all top-up funding for OLA pupils accessing their provision.
Decisions: N/A
Actions:
- SEN team proceed as per proposal
- SEN write to all schools/PRUs informing of change/process and arrange appropriate “drop-in” training sessions this term ahead of September implementation.
- 4.SCHOOLS AND HIGH NEEDS NATIONAL FUNDING
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: PH presented a formal report which provided details of the phase 1 consultation documents released in March 2016 by the DfE relating to the planned implementation of a new national fairer funding formula (NFFF) from April 2017 for the schools and high needs block elements of the DSG.
Schools Forum members had met since the last meeting to discuss the content of the documents and prepare response. The joint LA/Schools Forum response was provided to members in Appendix 1 & 2.
Phase 2 consultation document s is expected later this term.
Decisions: N/A
Actions:
- Peter Hughes to provide further updates to Schools Forum and all other stakeholders on phase 2 consultation documents as appropriate.
- 5.SCHOOL RESERVES 2015-16 OUT-TURN
Report presented as tabled.
Discussions: The report presented an annual update on the position of the three insurance schemes operated and administered by the LA on behalf of schools (i.e. Balance of Risks, Long term sickness and Laptops). All three schemes reported a 2015/16 operating surplus which was proposed for re-distribution to schools. Furthermore following internal review of the schemes by the LA Insurance team, the Laptops scheme will be within the Balance of Risks scheme from 2016/17 and the reserve levels held reduced accordingly therefore providing additional surplus resources to also be re-distributed to schools.
Decisions:
- LA proposals as per section 3.6 of report accepted and supported.
Actions:
- LA to proceed as per proposed distribution detailed in Appendix 1.
Nb:Appendix 1 incorrectly records Moat House PRU as £0, Moat House PRU did buy-back into two insurance schemes and their pro-rata return will be calculated and allocated accordingly.
- 6.SCHOOL BALANCES 2015/16
Report presented as tabled.
Discussions: The report presented 2015/16 year-end position on school balances totalling £12.287m across all sectors including further detail/analysis of individual school balances/movement and the schools which reported an excessive surplus balance at 31 March 2016 (i.e. above 12% threshold).
Decisions: N/A
Actions:
- Outcomes of the excessive surplus balance process to be reported back to Schools Forum members in due course.
- 7.SCHOOLS BUDGET 2015/16 OUT-TURN
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: The report presented a summary of the Total Schools Budget financed by the DSG final out-turn position at £0.913m and outline of the carry-forward requests approved (£0.565m) and the adjusted £0.348m surplus be allocated to the central DSG reserve.
Decisions: N/A
Actions: N/A
- 8.SCHOOLS FINANCIAL VALUE STANDARD (SFVS)
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: The report presented an update on the position of Local Maintained Schools and PRUs requirement to undertake a SFVS self-assessment during the 2015/16 financial year. All Schools/PRUs had completed the exercise with some supported by the LA Schools Finance team.
Decisions: N/A
Actions:
- Schools Forum members requested to share the findings of the report with their wider sector colleagues
- 9.SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS/TRAINING
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: N/A
Decisions: Proposed dates for the 2016/17 academic year were accepted.
NOTE:
Since the meeting it has been identified there are a couple of errors in the dates specified:
Thursday 9 December should read Thursday 8 December 2016
&
Thursday 23 January should read Thursday 26 January 2017
Actions:
- PH ensure all key personnel/members diary dates accordingly
- 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