The Schools Forum is a key consultation forum,
especially on all aspects of resourcing schools in relation
to the Schools Budget. It also has specified
decision making powers as detailed in the Terms of
Reference below:-
3.01 Role
The Schools Forum is a key consultation forum, especially on all
aspects of resourcing schools in relation to the Dedicated Schools
Grant. It also has specified decision
making powers (see 3.02).
3.02 Terms of Reference
(1) To
appoint Co Chairs of the Schools Forum
and determine voting procedures (within national regulations). May
not be an elected member of the Council or officer in accordance
with national regulations.
(2) To
provide a forum for discussion and consultation on resourcing
schools in relation to the Schools Budget, including the Early
Years Block, the Schools Block, the Central School Services Block
and the High Needs Block including financial issues relating to the
following
a)
arrangements for pupils with special educational
needs, in particular the places to be commissioned by the LA and
schools and the arrangements for paying top-up funding;
b)
arrangements for use of pupil referral units and the
education of children otherwise than at school, in particular the
places to be commissioned by the LA and schools and the
arrangements for paying top-up funding;
c)
arrangements for early years provision;
d)
administration arrangements for the allocation of
central government grants
(3) To give
a view on any exclusions from the minimum funding guarantee
(MFG).
(4) To be
consulted on formula changes (including
redistributions).
(5) The
Schools Block is ring fenced and the
Schools Forum can approve movement of up to 0.5% from the schools
block to other blocks.
(6) Primary
and Secondary School Representatives will vote, for their phase, on
areas to de-delegate for mainstream schools as set out
below.
·
contingencies
·
administration of free school meals
·
insurance
·
licences / subscriptions
·
staff costs – supply cover
·
support for minority ethnic pupils
·
support for underachieving groups
·
behaviour support services
·
library and museum services
·
School improvement
(7) For the
relevant maintained school members (primary, secondary, special and
Pupil Referral Unit - PRU) to decide on General Duties funding for
maintained schools for services previously funded by the Education
Services Grant (ESG) General Duties funding.
(8) To
decide on the level of Central spend and the criteria for
allocating funding from:
·
Funding for significant pre 16 pupil growth
including new schools set up to meet basic need, whether maintained
or academy
·
Falling rolls funding for surplus places in good or
outstanding schools where a population bulge is expected within three
years
(9) To
decide on the level of Central spend on:-
·
Early Years Block provision
·
Funding to enable all schools to meet the infant
class size requirement
·
Equal Pay Claims Back Pay
·
Remission of boarding fees at maintained schools and
academies
·
Places in Independent Schools for non SEN Pupils
·
Admissions
·
Servicing of Schools Forum
·
Contribution to responsibilities that Local
Authorities have for all schools
(10) To decide the level
of central spend where expenditure has
already been committed for each line on:
·
capital expenditure funded from revenue
·
contribution to combined budgets
·
existing termination of employment costs (costs for
specific individuals must have been approved so no new redundancy
costs can be charged)
·
schools budget funded prudential borrowing
costs
(11) To be informed of
central spend on:
·
licences negotiated centrally by the Secretary of
State
·
High Needs Block Provision
(12) To carry forward a
deficit on central expenditure to the next year to be funded by the
Schools Budget.
(13) To agree any
brought forward deficit on de-delegated services which is to be met
by the overall schools
budget.
(14) To approve changes
to the Scheme of Financial Management.
(15) To give a view and
inform the governing bodies on contracts where the Local Authority
is entering a contract (in excess of the EU procurement thresholds)
to be funded from the schools budget at
least one month prior to invitation to tender.
(16) To consider the
minutes of the DSG Resource Group and any other appropriate working
groups.
(17) To determine voting
procedures in line with national requirements and
regulations.
(18) To refer issues, as
appropriate, to the Strategic Lead for Education and/or the Cabinet
Member with portfolio for Children’s Services.
(19) To adopt and change
the Constitution.
3.03
Schools Forum meetings
There are three
types of Schools Forum meetings:
(a) the annual meeting;
(b) ordinary meetings;
(c) extraordinary meetings.
(Please note that members of the public are welcome to attend
Knowsley Schools Forum meetings although they may be asked to leave
for certain confidential items. Limited space will be
available and members of the public or press wishing to attend in
person are strongly advised to register in advance by
emailing committees@knowsley.gov.uk
or telephoning (0151) 443
2679. The
earliest you may register is following the publication of the
agenda for the relevant meeting. Attendees will be required
to show photographic identification (which must be an official,
original document) and will be subject to security checks including
a bag check and body scan (i.e. with a handheld scanning
device). Full information on the Council’s Policy
Statement Regarding Behaviour and Conduct (which includes further
detail of the Council’s Security Procedure at section 4) may
be viewed
here. Please note
that meetings will also be livestreamed via the following
link: Home -
Knowsley Council Webcasting (public-i.tv).)