SALFORD SCHOOLS FORUM
8 October 2014
Meeting commenced: 4.15 p.m.
“
ended: 5.05 p.m.
PRESENT: School Members
Ross Povey
(Substitute for Drew Povey)
Michelle Duval
(Substitute for James Inman)
-
Brian Pearson
(In the Chair)
James Schofield
Alison Cookson
Jenny Langley
Daniel Gauld
Julie Finlay
Secondary Headteachers
-
Secondary School Governors
-
Academy schools
-
Primary Headteachers
Judith Elderkin
Andrew Sargeant
David Cowpe
- Primary School Governors
(Substitute for Kenneth Hickman)
Non-School Members
Giles Caldwell
(Substitute for Debbie Ramsay)
-
Pupil Referral Units
Rachel Knight
-
Teacher Trade Union
Leon Dowd
-
14/19 Partnership
Officers
Cathy Starbuck
Chris Hesketh
Debbie Fulton
Carole Chapman
-
Assistant Director
Strategic Finance Manager
Finance Officer – Schools
Senior Democratic Services Advisor
Gary Taylor
-
EFA Observer
1
SALFORD SCHOOLS FORUM
8 OCTOBER 2014
1.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Cheryl Fox, Christopher Gray, Sheila
Hamnett, Martin Hanbury, Kenneth Hickman, James Inman, Alex Klein, Stephen LawlerSmith, Dianne Ogg, Drew Povey and Debbie Ramsay.
2.
MEMBERSHIP OF FORUM / ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
RESOLVED: THAT (1) the membership details are noted
THAT (2) the attendance details are noted and will continue to be
monitored.
3.
FORUM RESOLUTIONS
An update report was submitted providing details of the resolutions made by the Salford
Schools Forum.
RESOLVED: THAT the report be noted
4.
RECORD OF PREVIOUS MEETING
RESOLVED: THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2014, were
approved as a correct record.
5.
MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
6.
PROPOSED SCHOOL FORMULA
Debbie Fulton presented this report which outlined the changes required to Salford’s
funding formula for schools in 2015-16. The report also identified the need for the formula
to be approved by the City Mayor to enable submission of the proposed formula to the
EFA by 31st October 2014.
During discussion the following points were raised:



Indicative budgets are based on October 2013 data
Confirmed DfE data will be available from the second week in December
Final submission is due in January 2015 and unit rates can be changed between
October and January
Both the results of the consultation and the guidance from the DfE determined the
proposals
SALFORD SCHOOLS FORUM
8 OCTOBER 2014

It was suggested that the ratio between Primary and secondary schools needs
updating
In conclusion the members noted the proposed school funding formula for 2015 – 16.
RESOLVED: THAT the proposed school funding formula for 2015-16 is noted.
7.
CENTRALLY RETAINED BUDGET
The changes introduced by the DfE require schools forum to make decisions on behalf of
all primary and secondary schools in relation to the retention of central services and
budgets.
In certain areas the amount cannot increase compared to the previous year.
Chris Hesketh presented this report which asked members to consider the details within it
and confirm the budget levels centrally held as proposed by the local authority. Members
were also asked to approve the allocation of additional funding in line with the local
authority recommendations.
Following discussion and consideration of the details within the report forum members
made a decision on the following areas by putting each one to a vote:Growth Fund
In addition to basic pupil growth funding, the budget will include an estimated provision for
existing commitments, trigger funding where numbers in both primary and secondary
schools increase above a specific level (as previously agreed with schools forum) and
schools are reimbursed within the financial year to assist with the educational provision for
those pupils. Where trigger funding occurs within a school that has received additional
growth funding, the trigger funding will be reduced by any growth funding already received
by the school, resulting only in a net payment of trigger funding less growth funding to that
school.
The budget is currently in line with the 2014-15 projected estimate as the requirements for
2015-16 are not yet available. In anticipation of an increased requirement, schools forum is
requested to approve that the first call on any surplus DSG is set aside to cover the growth
requirement. The revised figures will be available for approval at the meeting scheduled in
January.
Funding for significant pre-16 pupil growth (any under spend has to be added to the
following year’s formula.)
Primary – £1,354,000
Secondary – £66,000
Vote carried unanimously.
SALFORD SCHOOLS FORUM
8 OCTOBER 2014
Copyright Licensing Agency
In 2013-14 the DfE decided to make arrangements to purchase CLA and MPA licenses on
behalf of all schools including academies across the country. This funding is therefore set
aside to refund the DfE for the cost of Salford schools.
Primary – £66,000
Secondary – £9,000
Vote carried unanimously
Admissions
This is the co-ordination and administration role for the admissions for all maintained
schools in the Salford area including academies. Any reduction in this area would result in
a high risk of reduction in the quality of service in an area that is becoming increasingly
more demanding.
Primary – £110,000
Secondary – £45,000
Vote carried unanimously
Servicing of Schools Forum
This budget funds the additional finance support for schools forum. This has been crucial
in relation to the work undertaken to support the changes implemented by central
government. This allows the work to be proactive rather than reactive to a changing
environment.
Primary - £37,000
Secondary - £6,000
Vote carried unanimously
Contributions to combined budgets
Top sport. This element (£35k) contributes to the staffing costs of a manager in Salford
Community Leisure who develops and co-ordinates work in relation to the schools. This
post has in the past assumed the PE Advisor role for the city, led on the bids for School
Sports Partnerships and has been, and is, the catalyst for a whole host of external
initiatives e.g. Competitions Manager, Sport Unlimited (Not for Boys initiative), Big Lottery
Funding. The post continues to provide a key contact to work closely with the schools in
developing and delivering sporting opportunities via the delivery of curricular support, CPD
opportunities for teaching staff, after school clubs in Primary Schools and a whole lot
more. The funding therefore enables a post which plays a pivotal role for school sport and
also draws in significant external funding.
SALFORD SCHOOLS FORUM
8 OCTOBER 2014
Detached playing fields. This element (£53k) relates to a small number of primary schools
who do not have their own facilities. If this funding was not centrally retained all schools
would receive a proportion of this budget but the schools without playing fields would have
to pay a fee for the use of the detached playing fields. It is likely that this fee would be in
excess of any funding received.
Schools provider arm. This element (£67k) funds a post working in vulnerable schools in
order to narrow the gap and raise attainment in literacy and numeracy. Services would
also be traded out to schools in order to generate income.
Safeguarding Children’s Board. This element (£24k) provides a contribution to the SSCB’s
role in supporting the safeguarding function of schools. This has included support for
training, policies and procedures, case review and auditing and information sharing.
Primary - £180,000
Secondary - £28,000
Vote carried unanimously
Termination of Employment Costs
This budget covers the statutory cost of voluntary early retirement and voluntary
severance for schools with financial issues as agreed with schools forum. This budget
provision will be allowed to meet the costs of existing premature retirement costs already
approved but new commitments are no longer allowed.
Primary - £92,000
Secondary - £46,000
Vote carried unanimously
RESOLVED: THAT forum members agreed to the de-delegation of central services and
budgets for the areas listed above.
8.
DSG – VERBAL UPDATE
Chris Hesketh provided a verbal update in relation to the position of the Dedicated Schools
Grant during which he forecast an under spend of £2.25m and confirmed that the service
has plans to spend this money.
RESOLVED: THAT the information provided is noted.
9.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Members were informed that a replacement for Lee Pridden was needed on the Growth
Panel.
Julie Finlay volunteered to join the group.
SALFORD SCHOOLS FORUM
8 OCTOBER 2014
RESOLVED: THAT Julie Finlay to become a member of the Growth Panel.
13.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 7th January 2015 in Committee Room 4 at
4.15pm.