Apologies were received from Gill Battye, Jeanne Cook, Cathy Gilfillan (who was represented by Daneian Rees), Roy Pike (who was represented by Lynsey Kings). 

The Minutes of the meeting of the Schools’ Forum held on 28^th June 2012 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

497. Details of energy usage for the last two years will be circulated to schools for benchmarking costs soon (Matt Redwood/Andrew Pedrick)

499. Schools Funding Formula Changes: 

·         Primary and Secondary Schools:  A further consultation meeting explaining the allocation changes, was well received and produced good feedback

·         Early Years:  The Head of Schools Commissioning advised the Forum that no changes had been made to the Early Years formula funding

500. School Forum – Changes in Business Practices

Action:

i)             Weblink to School Forum School agenda and minutes to be circulated by Children’s Services Finance Team newsletter and communications (Children’s Services Finance Team)

503. Future Meeting Dates:  Additional meeting planned for October 11^th.

Action:

i)             Apologises from Mike Lock for meeting on October 11^th  (James Evans will be representing)

The Head of School Commissioning presented a paper (which had been circulated prior to the meeting) outlining the proposed Department of Education (DfE) instructions to all local authorities to change their formula for distributing funding from the Dedicated Schools Grant.  This formula is used for all schools in Torbay including academies. 

The Head of School Commissioning advised the Forum that the formula for distributing funding to primary and secondary schools will be simplified to 12 factors and that the Local Authority does not have to use all 12 but cannot use any factors other than those specified. 

The Forum considered the response sheet questions for the Schools Funding Formula Consultation for Primary and Secondary schools. 

The Forum noted that in accordance with the Schools Forums (England) Regulations 2012 relating to Powers & Duties states that:

·         The schools forum is an advisory body, established to represent schools views to the LEA. The forum currently has limited decision making powers, though the Government is currently reviewing the role. Legislation giver the decision making powers to the Director of Children’s Services.

·         The decision making power over changes to the funding formula is a delegated power to the Director of Children’s Services.

Actions:

i)           A report outlining the amalgamated Consultation responses to questions completed by schools and other consultees to be agenda item at meeting on 11^th October (Matt Redwood)

ii)         A report on de-delegation and retention of the funding for some centrally funded services to be presented to the Forum on 11^th October (Matt Redwood)

The Head of School Commissioning presented a paper (which had been circulated prior to the meeting) outlining the proposed guidance and changes to simplifying funding to special schools.

The Forum noted that the funding formula will comprise of two elements:

1.   Flat rate of £10,0000 per pupils place commissioned in each special school

2.   A per-pupil top up rate that is allocated to the schools for each individual pupil attending the school

The Forum considered the response sheet questions for the Schools Funding Formula Consultation for special schools.

The Head of School Commissioning informed the Forum that the Local Authority is the ‘commissioner’ of places in special schools and therefore an audit of the numbers and categories of places purchased will need to be completed regularly with the schools. 

Actions:

i)           A report outlining the amalgamated Consultation responses to questions completed by schools and other consultees to be agenda item at meeting on 11^th October (Matt Redwood)

The Forum considered the new DfE guidance and regulations on membership of the School Forum coming into force on 1^st October 2012.  The Head of School Commissioning explained that Torbay School Forum is largely compliant with the new, revised rules although changes will need to take place as the PRU will need to be represented and that the EFA have attendance rights as an observer.

The regulations state that a Forum no longer has to be a minimum of 15 people.

The Head of School Commissioning informed the Forum of possible future representations from secondary, primary, special schools, Early Years, PRU and 14-19 partnership; the representative of the Diocese of Exeter and Plymouth fall within non schools members.

The Forum considered the poor attendance of the diocese representatives from Plymouth and Exeter which often resulted in the Forum being under quorum.

It was proposed by Roger Hughes (Chair) and seconded by Maurice Codd:

That the proposed revised pattern of membership is adopted, and the diocesan representatives from Plymouth and Exeter, whilst welcome to attend, were not formal members of the Forum

On being put to the vote, the decision was declared carried (8 votes in favour and 1 abstained vote)

Actions:

i)             Each constituent group to nominate their members to the newly formulated School Forum membership(feedback to Susan Moses) John Davis to be nominated to represent the PRU (not as a LA officer)

The Forum were advised that the DSG would break even this year, but that there were significant unders and overs.

Action

i)             A written report to follow for the 11^th October meeting

The Forum agreed the following future meeting dates:

Thursday 11 October

Thursday 6 December

Thursday 7 February 2013

Thursday 21 March 2013