Meeting documents

Apologies were received from:

• Ms S Callaghan
• Ms S Duckworth
• Ms G Bull

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 26 September 2017 were AGREED as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

Ms K Tamlyn and Mr D Hood raised a query in relation to item 10 of the minutes of the previous meeting:

‘…The majority of Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP) were done just prior to the child going to the school.’

The Forum had requested a definitive answer on what was meant by the phrase ‘the school’ and specifically which type of schools this particular item applied to.

ACTION: Ms S Callaghan

Reports and verbal update from Mr D Hood, from the meeting held 20 October 2017 and the proposals set out for 2018/19.

Mr D Hood gave an overview of the report and proposals for de-delegations 2018/19 following the meeting held on 20 October 2017. He also thanked the contributors for a smooth and constructive meeting.

The Forum voted on the proposed recommendations.

RESOLVED

The forum unanimously AGREED the proposed recommendations.

Report and verbal update to be provided by Jonathan Carter and Stephen Chainani, setting out the policy for growth funding in 2018/19 and the associated funding requirement.

For agreement by the Schools Forum

A report and verbal update was provided by Mr J Carter, Accountant, and Mr S Chainani, Commissioning Manager, setting out the policy for growth funding in 2018/19 and the associated funding requirement.

An in depth discussion took place in relation to the proposals set out by Mr Chainani and Mr Carter.

• The forum noted page 45, Appendix 1: ‘Falling Rolls’ in further detail. A spelling error was identified in the heading ‘Falling Roles Fund’on page 45. A correction was required: ‘roles’ should be changed to ‘rolls’.

 ACTION: Mr J Carter and Mr S Chainani

RESOLVED

The forum AGREED the proposals set out in the Growth Funding Policy

• Against: None
• Abstentions: 2
• In favour: 19

Update from Mr A Rosen, Chairman of the Schools Forum Funding Group (SFFG) on the meeting held on Friday 13 October 2017.

Mr A Rosen, Chair of the Schools Forum Funding Group (SFFG), gave a presentation and a verbal update on the meeting held on Friday 13 October 2017.

The Forum discussed the update and the information provided by Mr Rosen in greater detail. 

Reports and verbal update from Mr J Huskinson, Finance Director for Education, on the proposals for the consultation with schools on funding arrangements from 2018/19.

For agreement by the Schools Forum.

Mr J Huskinson, Finance Director for Education, provided reports and gave a verbal update on the proposals for the consultation with schools on funding arrangements from 2018/19 for agreement by the Schools Forum.

The following points were raised in discussion:

• Any comments or amendments would be raised with Mr Huskinson directly to be updated.
• Ms K Simmons welcomed the inclusion of reference to the strategic principles. She requested an additional question enabling respondents to comment on how far proposals would meet strategic aims.
• Mr D Hood requested inclusion of ‘selection’ in list of issues within the LA that affect outcomes for students. Mr Huskinson agreed to consider this proposal with Ms S Callaghan on her return.

ACTION: Mr J Huskinson

• Mr Rosen suggested that it may be of value to refer to the DfE impact assessment document. Mr Huskinson agreed to take this into consideration.

Action: Mr J Huskinson

• The Forum discussed the introduction of the consultation in further detail and suggested that this section would require amendments. Mr Huskinson said that he would consider the proposed changes and would work with colleagues on the appropriate wording.

ACTION: Mr J Huskinson

RESOLVED

The Forum voted in principle on the proposed consultation document and was unanimously in favour given that the changes would be made as agreed.   

Report and verbal update on the funding arrangements for early years for 2018/19 by Ms J Nichols, Head of Early Years commissioning.

Ms J Nichols, Head of Early Years commissioning provided her report and gave a verbal update on the funding arrangements for early years for 2018/19.

The following points were raised in discussion:

• Ms W Terry highlighted that the Early Years sector was facing challenges with most settings operating on a negative budget, practitioners on minimum wage and the additional 15 childcare hours were no longer being paid for.
• Ms J Nicholls discussed the 30 hours for Early Years places and acknowledged difficulties and challenges of turbulence in places throughout the year.
• Ms Nicholls asked the forum to vote on recommendations in principal.

RESOLVED

It was AGREED that the Forum would be supportive of the recommendations.

Report and verbal update from Mr J Huskinson on budget proposals for High Needs Block Funding.

Ms Huskinson gave an overview verbal update on the report provided. An in depth discussion took place regarding the budget proposals for High Needs Block Funding.

The following points were raised during discussion:

• Members highlighted the need for a High Needs spending plan which ultimately was in balance, and requested further evidence to be provided to inform their decision.  
• Mr Rowe referred to the following quote from the Education and Skills Funding Agency on the subject of consulting on any transfer from Schools Block to High Needs:

120. We expect the evidence presented to the schools forum to include:

·         details of any previous movements between blocks, what pressures those movements covered, and why those transfers have not been adequate to counter the new cost pressures

·         a full breakdown of the specific budget pressures that have led to the requirement for a transfer…

·         …a strategic financial plan setting out how the local authority intends to bring high needs expenditure to levels that can be sustained within anticipated future high needs funding levels

(Schools Revenue Funding 2018 to 2019 Operational Guide, p.40)

• The Forum discussed the need for more information on spending, projects, timelines and solutions before the proposal could be agreed.

RESOLVED

The Forum DECLINED the proposal given that more time and information was required before the Forum could make a decision.

ACTION: Mr J Huskinson and Ms S Callaghan

Report and verbal updat on budget proposals for Central Schools Services Block by Mr J Huskinson.

For agreement by the Schools Forum

Mr Huskinson provided a report and verbal update on budget proposals for Central Schools Services Block for agreement by the Schools Forum.

During discussion, the Forum noted an error in Appendix 1: BLT should be changed to BASL.

ACTION: Mr J Huskinson

AOBAUpdate on the Education and SEND strategies by Mr S Callaghan, Director for Education.

Ms S Callaghan was not present to provide an update.

-       Scheme for financing schools- Update and supplementary paper form Mr J Huskinson.

The following points were raised as other business:

• Mr Huskinson commented on a proposed clarification on the scheme to specify that schools should submit their budgets earlier in order to identify which schools would require assistance sooner.
• Mr Rowe noted the list of members and appointments and commented that there was an error with Ms K Tamlyn’s joining date and that Mr G Drawmer had been missed. He asked that any changes be submitted to the Committee Assistant for action.

ACTION: Miss L Dale

Tuesday 28 November 2017, 1:30pm Green Park

The next meeting date was confirmed as Tuesday 28 November 2017, 1:30pm Green Park