Apologies were received from Mr P Box, Mr P Burbidge, Mr J Chapman, Mr M Farmer, Mr R Leece and Mrs C Woods.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor JG Lester newly appointed Cabinet Member – Young People and Children’s Wellbeing

Councillor Lester thanked the Forum for their welcome.  He outlined his experience in the sphere of education and acknowledged the challenges he faced in his role and the importance of meeting those challenges.

Mrs A Pritchard substituted for Mr R Leece.

None.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2015.

RESOLVED:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to correcting resolution b in Minute no 200 to reflect the correct title of the Director.

In relation to Minute no. 199 – permanent funding for safeguarding education in the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH), the Assistant Director, Education and Commissioning reported that a decision from the Secretary of State was awaited and it was proposed to proceed on the basis of a service level agreement if that approval was not forthcoming.  Recruitment to the MASH was being undertaken.

In relation to Minute no 201 - Whitecross PFI Scheme the School Finance Manager reported that the proposed contract variations had not in the event been signed by Integral.  Stepnell had offered further savings. Discussions with Integral would continue.

To seek Schools Forum’s agreement on the final proposals for Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) funding effective from 1September 2015 following consultation with Herefordshire Association of Secondary Headteachers.

Further to the report to the Forum in March 2015 the Forum considered the final proposals for Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) funding effective from 1 September 2015 following consultation with Herefordshire Association of Secondary Headteachers (HASH).

The School Finance Manager presented the report.  He reported that HASH had suggested a minor amendment to the original proposals and this had been accepted in bringing forward final proposals as set out in the report.

RESOLVED:  That the final proposals as agreed with the Herefordshire Association of Secondary Headteachers are approved for implementation from 1st September 2015 as follows:

(a)        the local authority fully funds vacant, second and third year key stage 4 places at £10,000 per place;

(b)       funding for first year places (key stage 4) is shared by the secondary school seeking the place (both permanent exclusions and placed for other reasons) and the local authority on a sliding scale per academic year as set out below

(i)    Academic year 2015/16  school £4,000  local authority £6,000

(ii)   Academic year 2016/17  school £5,000  local authority £5,000

(iii)  Academic year 2017/18  school £6,000 local authority  £4,000;

(c)        high needs top-up payments as determined by the assessment matrix,  and expected to be on average £5,000 per pupil, to be paid by the local authority to the PRU for key stage 3 and 4 pupil pro-rata to occupancy; and

(d)       Key stage 3 places are funded per half term at £1,666.67, irrespective of the number of days occupied, payable by the school requiring placement.

To review the membership of Schools Forum and the Budget Working Group.

The Forum reviewed the membership of Schools Forum and the Budget Working Group.

The report stated that the membership remained consistent with the requirement that primary schools, secondary schools, and academies must be broadly proportionately represented on the Forum.

RESOLVED:

That      (a)     it be noted that no amendment to the membership of the Forum is required, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report; and

              (b)     It be noted that no amendment to the membership of the Budget Working Group is required, as set out in appendix 1 to the report.

To receive and consider a presentation on a range of information to inform the development of a financial approach for schools in Herefordshire for the next three years.

The Chairman reported that it was proposed to discuss the presentation on the development of a financial approach for the future in an informal workshop setting rather than as part of the formal agenda.

Delegated authority was sought to give effect to any actions resulting from the workshop.

RESOLVED: That the Assistant Director, Education and Commissioning be authorised to take any action considered necessary in the light of matters arising from the workshop following consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Forum and the Chairman of the Budget Working Group, reporting back to the Budget Working Group and the Forum as appropriate.

The Chairman reported on a regional meeting of Chairs of Schools Forums from the South West held at Clevedon on 21 May.

She expressed satisfaction that Herefordshire Schools Forum appeared to working effectively with a good working relationship between Forum members and officers.

To consider the Forum’s work programme.

The Forum noted its work programme.

The following meeting dates have been scheduled:

10 July 2015 – 9.30 am

23 October 2015– 9.30 am

4 December 2015 – 9.30 am

15 January 2016 – 9.30 am

11 March 2016 – 9.30 am

Noted.

Retirement of Chairman of the Forum

It was noted that it was likely to be the last meeting chaired by Mrs Strutt prior to her retirement.

The Forum thanked Mrs Strutt for her chairmanship. Mrs Strutt commented that the Forum had had to deal with some challenging issues but had worked well collectively.