FMSIS SUPPORT PACKAGE

As you are aware, schools in the Northern and Central areas of the County are in the tranche of schools that have been asked to complete the Financial Management Standard in Schools (FMSiS) process by March 2009. This is the second year of a three-year programme to ensure that all primary and special schools meet the standard by the required date of March 2010.

As part of our support to schools, Children's Services Finance is offering a bespoke support package to assist schools with the process of completing the self-assessment portfolio required to achieve this standard. This package offers, over and above any Service Level Agreement your school may already have, attendance for up to 2 people at a training workshop, plus up to 2 site visits to assist with the completion of the self-assessment forms and the compilation of the portfolio of evidence. The cost of the package is £250 per school, irrespective of the number on roll.

Other available FMSiS help can be accessed through your usual Service Level Agreement as detailed in the Support Services brochure.

We are also pleased to be able to offer to those schools that purchase the support package a reduced price for the external assessment of their portfolio. The cost for those schools will be £350 instead of the usual cost of £500.

Schools have received £250 per annum as part of their delegated budget share since 2007/08 which, over the three year FMSiS cycle, covers the cost of the support package and assessment.

Attached for your consideration is a pro-forma Contract to Purchase for the support package, which should be completed and returned to Katie Howes, Area Team Leader in Children's Services Finance.

This package is also available to schools in the West of the County who will be in the third tranche of schools but who wish to complete their portfolio earlier than March 2010.

If you have any queries about the support offered via the package, please contact Alison Randall, School Support Manager on 01603 224273, or for queries about the FMSiS process please contact Judith Hall, Senior Finance Officer, on 01603 222543. Bookings for workshops should be made through Richard Boyd on 01603 223390.