§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the level of financial self-management enjoyed by grant-maintained schools will be at least sustained, or even increased, following a change of status under the proposals set out in the School Standards and Framework Bill. [HL2161]
§ Baroness BlackstoneThe consultation paperFair Funding: Improving Delegation to Schools, issued on 29 May 1998, proposes a new 100 per cent. delegation framework for the funding of schools by local education authorities (LEAs) in England, based on a clear distinction between functions which must be seen as the responsibility of the LEA itself, and those which should be seen as the responsibility of the schools. While recognising that LEAs will need to retain the necessary resources to carry out their essential functions, the proposals seek to maximise the level of self-management for all maintained schools. The final division of responsibilities and associated funding within the new framework will be informed by the outcome of the consultation.