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NEWSLETTER 21 – September 2017

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

Welcome to the 21st edition of the Schools Forum Newsletter……..

In this issue, we are including key points from the Schools Forum meeting held on 28 September 2017 particularly; Schools Capacity/Capital Program update, Terms of Reference Review/Membership update, 2018/19 Schools Funding Arrangements and the National Funding Formula / 2018/19 Budget Options. A full copy of the minutes will be made available via the Council web-site in due course, see section 8 below.

Schools Forum Meeting 28 September 2017 – Key Points

  1. Matters Arising from 18 May 2017 Meeting minutes

Peter Hughes provided an email update (26 May 2017) to all Schools Forum matters in relation to the administrative cost increase query raised relating to school insurance schemes provided to schools as per item 9 in the minutes.

Furthermore the additional DfE information relating to the construction and values assigned to the local funding formula models of the other 150 LAs across the country was circulated to members further to item 11 of the last meeting.

  1. SCHOOLS CAPACITY / CAPITAL PROGRAM UPDATE

Report presented as tabled

Discussion: Stephen Bell outlined the key pressure points in the borough (i.e. Marple, Heatons, etc.) in relation to the provision of sufficient school places and provided a further update on the £25m capital investment secured to address both capacity and condition needs of schools in the very near future. A formal working group will be established shortly with representatives of all key stakeholder groups to identify options and discuss LA plans in more detail.

Decisions: N/A.

 

Actions:

  1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report.
  1. TERMS OF REFERENCE REVIEW / MEMBERSHIP UDPATE

Report presented as tabled

Discussions:

PH provided update on the latest membership changes not included in the report (i.e. Vale View HT new primary HT member representing resourced provision schools). The proposed changes to the ToR document and the non-attendance draft letter was discussed and both accepted. 

Decisions:

  1. ToR updated proposals accepted
  2. Draft non-attendance letter endorsed.

Actions:

  1. PH contact Academies and Governance team in relation to the current Academy sector and Secondary Governor vacancies;
  2. PH update ToR document and Membership details; and
  3. PH issue the non-attendance letter on behalf of Chairperson to the members as identified in Appendix 4.
  1. 2018/19 SCHOOLS FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS

Report presented as tabled

Discussions: N/A

Decisions: N/A

Actions:

  1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report.
  1. NATIONAL FUNDING FORMULA (Schools and High Needs)

Report presented as tabled

Discussions: N/A

Decisions: N/A

Actions:

  1. Schools’ Forum members to note the report.
  1. 2018/19 BUDGET PLANNING/OPTIONS

Report presented as tabled

 

Discussions: Peter Hughes presented the report in further detail with cross reference back to items 4 & 5 above and the budget preparation options available to the LA as per section 5 of the report.

Decisions:

  1. The LA will meet/present information/options to both the primary and secondary Headteacher consortia groups ahead of the pre-consultation Schools Forum sub-group meetings agreed to be held on Friday 20 October 2017 to discuss and finalise the final consultation proposals/content.

Actions:

  1. PB/PH to facilitate/support the respective PHC/SHC and Schools Forum sub-group meetings re schools financial consultation proposals;
  2. Primary and Secondary reps to discuss de-delegation options with their wider sector colleagues and report back sector decisions at the next meeting; and
  3. LA present further updates on all other budget issues (i.e. high needs) at the forthcoming meetings.
  1. SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS/TRAINING

Report presented as tabled

 

Discussions: N/A

Decisions: N/A

 

Actions:

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

 

  1. Schools Forum Contacts:

 

Schools Forum Clerk:                                           This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Schools Forum Chair:                  

Paul Carter – Governor at St James School        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Schools Forum Service Director for Education:  

Phil Beswick, Services to People Directorate      This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Schools Forum Finance Officer: 

Peter Hughes, CSS Manager, Finance                This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.