Agenda item

(Jacquie Davies, Chris Prosser, Jon Hewitt and Maria Morgan rejoined the meeting at 5.48pm)

Melanie Ellis introduced the report (Agenda Item 8), on the proposed consultation on the updated Scheme for Financing Schools (SFS). Melanie Ellis reported that the version of the SFS included with the report followed version 16 of the Department for Education’s (DfE) updated guidance. Appendix B to the report showed the changes that had been made. Section 7.2 would be updated in line with the decision that had been taken regarding the claw back.

Chris Prosser referred to the matter of schools making a direct application for revenue finance and commented that the scheme did not detail the paperwork that had to be completed by schools for this and he felt this was important to ensure the process was transparent. Melanie Ellis suggested that Chris Prosser reply to the consultation with the detail he wanted included and the SFS could then be updated accordingly.

The Chair drew the Forum’s attention to the recommendation in section 2.2 that the updated SFS went out to consultation with all schools from 18^th to 27^th June 2024 and that the updated scheme was adopted after Schools’ Forum approval. The recommendation was proposed and seconded by maintained school members and at the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the Schools’ Forum approved that the proposed SFS go out to consultation with all schools.