The Schools Forum is a statutory body to be consulted by the County Council on matters of schools finance and funding, and with specific decision making powers. It is made up of headteachers, governors and other non-school representatives. As the Liberal Democrats’ spokesperson I attend in a non-voting capacity.

At yesterday’s meeting we had confirmation from the Conservative cabinet member that the proposals to change the schools funding formula - which caused huge controvery last year but were suddenly withdrawn without reason - were now dead. As schools are now being required to draw up budgets for the next 3 years, the opportunity to change the current formula (which everyone accepts is flawed) has gone - probably for a long time.

What a huge effort for nothing, and what a wasted opportunity!