Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2019 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

The Business Advisor (Schools) reported on progress made on “Action” items:

·         Matters Arising – publication of draft meeting minutes: The Business Advisor reported that the ESFA has published feedback on Forum practices, which it has collected from attending a number of Schools Forum meetings across the country. He reported that we follow already the vast majority of recommendations made about good practice. The feedback does suggest however, that the minutes of Forum meetings should be published, in draft, quickly after each meeting, rather than waiting until the next meeting. This is so that stakeholders and other interested parties can see in real time what the Forum is discussing and the action points. Therefore, it is proposed to begin to publish draft minutes within a week of each meeting for these minutes to then be ratified at the next meeting. Members agreed.

·         Item 388 Page 2 (Stronger Communities Board Nominations): The Business Advisor reported that a request for nominations from interested Members was sent out as agreed and no responses were received.

·         Item 391 Page 5 (SEND and SEMH Reviews): The Business Advisor reported that the follow up report requested by Members is presented at Document KI under agenda item 6. The letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State regarding the insufficiency of high needs capital / questioning the national methodology used is currently being drafted and will be actioned.

·         Item 392 page 5 (DSG Matters): At the last meeting the Forum considered the uncertain position of various grant funding streams. The Business Advisor reported that further details have been published on the Teacher Pay Grant and Teacher Pensions Grant. The DfE has also confirmed that the PE & Sports Premium will continue in the 2019/20 academic year. This means that the only remaining significant uncertainty for immediate budgets up to March 2020 is the September 2019 teacher pay award. We would expect to begin to hear about this from the end of this month. The report under agenda item 7 reminds Members about the uncertainties that still remain on DSG funding after 2019/20.

·         Item 394 Page 6 (Scheme Consultation): The Business Advisor reported that the consultation has been completed with no responses received (the consultation was on only very minor amendments, including wording amendments). A final version of the proposed amended Scheme, which is the same as the version consulted on, is presented to this meeting. Members were asked formally to approve the adoption of this Scheme from today’s date.  Members agreed.

·         Item 396 page 7 (AOB): The Business Advisor confirmed that the requested report on PFI costs will be presented to the Schools Forum on 10 July.

Resolved –

(1)       That the Schools Forum agrees the amended Scheme for            Financing Schools with this Scheme to be adopted from 22 May     2019.

(2)       That the Schools Forum agrees for draft minutes of Forum          meetings to be published within a week of each meeting and also          sent to Forum Members by email. These minutes will then be          formally ratified by the Forum at the next meeting.

ACTION – Business Advisor (Schools)