HC Deb 10 July 1990 vol 176 cc175-6W
9. Mr. Rowe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of local management in schools.

33. Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to ensure the smooth implementation of local management of schools.

45. Mrs. Heal

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to ensure the smooth implementation of local management of schools.

67. Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to ensure the smooth implementation of local management of schools.

68. Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current implementation of local management of schools.

Mr. Tredinnick

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent responses he has had to local management of schools; whether he has any further proposals relating to local management of schools; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor

Eighty-seven local education authorities introduced local management schemes in April 1990. Most headteachers and governors welcome the prospect of greater autonomy in the running of their schools. I have recently announced an increase in the programme of education support grants to help implement this important reform. Supported expenditure will increase from £36 million to £61 million in 1991–92.

Mr. Riddick

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of Kirklees council's total schools' budget has been passed on to individual schools with the introduction of local management schemes; and what was the comparable figure for Government targets and guidelines.

Mrs. Rumbold

The budget statement provided by Kirklees local education authority under section 42 of the Education Reform Act, indicates that 65 per cent. of the general schools budget—GSB—is being passed down to individual schools. The discretionary exceptions, subject to the Government's limit of 10 per cent. of the GSB, account for 9.2 per cent. of the GSB. The discretionary exceptions not subject to any Government limit account for 14 per cent. of the GSB.

37. Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of local management in schools in Northumberland county council.

Mrs. Rumbold

Northumberland local education authority's scheme for local management of schools was approved on 15 March 1990 for introduction on 1 April 1990. The LEA appears to be making a most satisfactory start to local management. The Government are supporting the introduction of LMS in Northumberland through £402,400 of specific grant in this financial year alone.