To the Headteacher and Chairs of Governors of all schools

Norfolk's Scheme for the Financing of Maintained Schools

The Secretary of State has considered the Authority's proposed revisions to Norfolk's Scheme for Financing Schools and has approved the revised version.

The full text of the revised Scheme is published on the EFS website at http://efs.norfolk.gov.uk/budgetarea/financing_scheme.htm

The main changes are:

Section1.3 Application of the scheme to the Authority and maintained schools

This has been renumbered as 1.2.1 and now includes nursery schools.

Section 1.3

This has been renamed 'Publication of the Scheme' in light of the change made above and contains a statement that the scheme will be placed on a publicly-accessible website.

Section 2.13 Spending for the purposes of the school

Adding to this section to clarify that spending budget shares for the purposes of the school is also subject to regulations made by the Secretary of State, as well as any provisions of the scheme.

Section 5.2 Income from fees and charges

Adding the statement 'Income from boarding charges is collected on behalf of the LEA and should not exceed that needed to provide board and lodging for the pupils concerned'.

Section 6.2 Circumstances in which charges may be made

Two additional sections have been added:

6.2.5 to include' the cost of local authority enforcement action in respect of schools failure to undertake maintenance and monitoring of plant and equipment' and

6.2.9 to include 'the recovery of monies due from a school for services provided to the school under a PFI contract where a dispute over the monies due has been referred to a disputes procedure and the result is that monies are owed by the school to the Authority'.

Section 15.1 LEA responsibilities for supply costs

Clarifying that supply cover for membership of the General Teaching Council or its Committees relates to the attendance at meetings.

Annex B Responsibility for repairs and maintenance

This section has been updated in line with the successor Building Maintenance Partnership Pool (BMPP) Scheme that started on 1 April 2004.

Annex F The Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure

The Whistleblowing Procedure has been updated with the Audit Commission's new address

Annex K Norfolk County Council Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy

The Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy is included as an Annex to the Scheme.

Annex L Financial Regulations

Financial Regulations have been added as an annex to the Scheme.

If you have any queries about the content or wish to obtain a hard copy please contact me on 01603 222877 or by email at benita.ogg@norfolk.gov.uk