Education Funding - key documents

Key Documents:

Scheme of Financial Management - Information and Consultation

LAs are required to publish schemes for financing schools, setting out the financial relationship between them and the schools they maintain.  Any amendments to schemes must be consulted on with all schools and be approved by the Schools' Forum.  The latest version of Dorset's  Scheme of Financial Management (pdf, 180kb) (opens in a new window) was approved by Schools' Forum on 2nd December 2011 and came into force on that date.

The draft  Scheme of Financial Management 2013 (pdf, 279kb) (opens in a new window) on which we are currently consulting will be considered by the Schools Forum at their meeting on 17th May 2013.  A number of changes are proposed:

• directed revisions and amendments related to changes to school funding regulations (where we have no option but to amend)
• amendments to reflect current practice
• changes which signify a change in either practice or principle.

Your attention is drawn to the final category and the  Scheme Changes 2013 Rationale (pdf, 15kb) (opens in a new window) will help you identify why each change is proposed.

Any comments regarding the proposed changes should be forwarded to Lucy Cropp, Accounting Technician by 9am on Wednesday, 8th May 2013.  However, as we recognise that this is a very short consultation period, please contact your Schools' Forum representative if there is anything specific that you wish to raise after the response date so that your comments can be brought to the meeting on 17th May.  

Further details about changes that will be encompassed shortly can be seen on the DfE website (opens in a new window) .

Section 251

Under Section 251 (formerly Section 52) of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998, LAs are required to prepare and publish a budget statement at the beginning of each financial year.

The budget statements are the prescribed means of informing schools, early years settings and the public in general about the funding plans of the LA and the latest versions for Dorset are attached.

The statements are intended to provide a clear picture, in a common format, of:

• The authority's planned spending
• How much of the whole education budget the LA intends to spend on items outside the Schools' Budget
• How much the LA is proposing to retain centrally within the Schools' Budget for school services
• How the funding formula is working to produce budget shares for each school in the LA's area 

For further information about Section 251 and access to information regarding other Local Authorities please visit the Department for Education website (opens in a new window) .

Section 251 budget return to DfE 2011/12 (excel, 393kb) (opens in a new window)

• Dorset Schools' Forum

  Papers and minutes for Dorset Schools' Forum meetings.

• Accounting Technician - Education Funding
  Name: Mrs Lucy Cropp
  Email: l.m.cropp@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224155
  Full details for Mrs Lucy Cropp