ABSTRACT
Local management of schools became ‘devolved funding’ in April 1999, in another of those changes that makes the publishing of books on education such a hazardous practice. This will increase the range of services for which governing bodies have direct responsibility. School budgets will now include amounts for building repairs and maintenance, school meals, financial services (payroll, financial advice and information, cash management and banking services), personnel/ human resources services (recruitment, personnel issues, disciplinary matters and legal advice), cleaning and catering, curriculum advisory and training services, school library services and supply cover. Of course, many authorities have already devolved some or most of these services; grantmaintained schools already had these items in their budgets; and LEAs will continue to offer the services on a buy-back system. Some schools will notice little difference in practice.
