Commentary on Sections Finance Section 46: Local authorities’ financial schemes
224.Section 48 of SSFA 1998 requires each local authority to prepare and maintain a scheme which sets out the financial relationship between it and the schools it maintains. Regulations prescribe the matters which must be dealt with in local authority schemes, but do not prescribe their detailed content. Schedule 14 to SSFA 1998 allows a local authority to revise their scheme provided that they take into account any guidance given by the Secretary of State about the provisions the Secretary of State regards as appropriate for inclusion in the scheme; they consult the governing body and head teacher of every school maintained by them; and the revisions are approved by their schools forum.
225.Section 46 amends Schedule 14 to SSFA 1998, enabling the Secretary of State to revise the whole or any part of a local authority scheme by giving a direction. It also requires the Secretary of State to consult the relevant local authority and such other persons as the Secretary of State thinks fit before a direction is given.