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Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Cowen Room, Dryden Centre

Contact: Rosalyn Patterson - email:  rosalynpatterson@gateshead.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Christine Ingle, Michelle Richards, Peter Largue, Elaine Pickering and Councillor Chris McHugh.

 

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 222 KB

The Forum is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 6 July 2017

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2017 were agreed as a correct record.

 

3.

Contingency Fund Applications pdf icon PDF 274 KB

Carole Smith, Corporate Resources

Minutes:

The Forum received a report to inform of the decision to provide contingency funding to Eslington Primary School.

 

It was reported that an application for contingency funding was received for emergency costs arising from incidents outside the control of the governing body. The school expanded and took over a new site at Rose Street in 2015, the building had not been used as a school for a number of years and when the building started being used as a school again a range of issues came to light.  The school had worked with Repairs and Maintenance at the Council to reduce the cost of the work required to £18,381. As the school had no control over the site previously and was not in a position to fund the repairs, it was agreed to award £18,381 to address the specific revenue repairs and maintenance issues.

 

The point was made that it could reasonably be expected that a lot of the issues should have been identified by Council service prior to the school moving onto the site.  It was agreed that the concerns of the Forum, around the lack of identification of snagging issues, would be shared with relevant services within the Council.

 

RESOLVED    -           That the Schools Forum noted the funding provided to

Eslington Primary School.

 

*Ken Childs declared a personal interest as a Governor of Eslington Primary School.

 

4.

School Funding Update pdf icon PDF 223 KB

Carole Smith, Corporate Resources

Minutes:

The Forum received a report on the outcome of the Mainstream School and High Needs Block stage 2 consultations for the new National Funding Formulas (NFF).  It was reported that on 14 September 2017 the DfE issues a number of documents on the NFF, however this does still not provide the whole detail.

 

It was noted that national minimum funding levels have been set for both primary and secondary pupils, however no primary schools in Gateshead are under the  minimum level of £3,300 and only two secondary schools are under the £4,600 threshold.

 

The NFF AWPU values for KS3 and KS4 have increased and there has been a steep decrease in FSM funding per pupil.  Pupil Premium for LAC will be increased by £400, however there is no LAC factor in the new NFF.

 

It was reported that the Schools Block allocations will increase by 2.41%, Central Schools Block decreased by £20,000 and High Needs Block will increase by 0.49%. It was acknowledged that these figures are indicative and will be updated in December.

 

The Forum was provided with the formula factors that the DfE propose, some of which are not per pupil allocation. It was noted that the PFI factor has increased by RPIX (£90,000).

 

There has been no clarification regarding the announcement of 0.5% increase for all schools on a per pupil basis, however not all schools can receive an increase due to MFG, therefore further guidance and an updated APT are currently being awaited.

 

More information is expected to be received imminently, therefore it was agreed that the sub group would meet prior to half term.

 

RESOLVED    -           That the Schools Forum noted the contents of the report and

that work will be undertaken by the MSFS on Gateshead’s transition to the NFF.

 

5.

Early Years Inclusion Fund pdf icon PDF 567 KB

Carole Smith, Corporate Resources and Jan Batchelor, Children and Family Support

Minutes:

The Forum received a report on the progress made by officers in the development of the criteria and application process for the Early Years Inclusion Fund which builds on previous reports to the Forum.  Once agreed, all settings will be consulted.

 

The aim of the fund is to ensure three and four year old children accessing their funded entitlement with low or emerging levels of SEND receive timely, planned and monitored early interventions. Awarded  amounts will be approximately  £200 per child per year and will be used for things such as; purchasing resources, training, staff time, coordinate key worker duties and transition work.

 

The application process needs to provide details of the proposed purpose of the funding and how it will support inclusion and reduce barriers to taking up their free entitlement.

 

It was proposed that the value of the Inclusion Fund for 2017/18 is set at the estimated amount of £50,933 and that the Forum agreed to the intended use of the fund. The Forum was also asked to agree the application process, payment mechanism and that the Inclusion Fund is ring fenced and finite.

 

RESOLVED    -           (i)         That the Schools Forum reviewed and agreed the

proposed value, use, eligibility, application and payment processes as outlined in the report.

 

                                    (ii)        That the Forum reviewed the consultation document

and reviewed the information contained within the document.

 

                                    (iii)       That the Forum agreed the attached consultation

document.

 

 

 

6.

School Surplus Balance Procedure pdf icon PDF 175 KB

Carole Smith, Corporate Resources

Minutes:

A report was presented to the Forum which proposed the discontinuation of the Schools Surplus Balance Procedure.

 

It was noted that the surplus balances have reduced, with only five schools this year with a surplus balance, therefore the Forum was asked to consider whether the surplus balance mechanism is still worth having.

 

It was suggested that this should be suspended rather than discontinued so that a watching brief can be kept on the situation. It was agreed that the mechanism would be in place for the current financial year but next year, prior to asking schools for their licences, the balances would be brought back to the Forum to decide.

 

RESOLVED    -           (i)         That the Schools Surplus Balance Procedure be

maintained but suspended from April 2018.

 

                                    (ii)        That the Forum noted that an annual report on the

overall value and movement of maintained school balances be brought to Schools Forum for decision on whether to implement the Surplus Balance Procedure.

 

7.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

Thursday 2 November 2017 at 2.00pm

Minutes:

The date and time of the next meeting is Thursday 2 November 2017 at 2.00pm.

 

 

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