Contact: Michelle Smith e-mail [email protected] ext 01962 846666

1 Summary

This report sets out the budget of the Committee as required by the Schools Standards and Framework act 1998.

2 Introduction

The Schools Standards and Framework Act requires all Local Education Authorities to set up School Organisation Committees and give them an operational budget to cover running expenses.

3 Budget

The budget is set to cover travel expenses of committee Members and for subsistence and loss of earnings for those allowed to claim. It is set on the basis that there will be a maximum of four meetings in the year. In 2004-05 the budget was set at £3,500. Actual expenditure for the year to date is £4,119, of which £2,529 relates to printing (largely arising from the consideration of the Pinewood proposals). This overspend will be accommodated within the budget for Democratic Services.

As the schedule of school re-organisations is not likely to reduce it is proposed that the budget for 2005-06 should be £4,600 to reflect the projected increase in expenditure. As in previous years there is no specific allowance for external advice. Should this be required it can be reviewed for future years if it is not possible for it to be contained within the existing budget.

4 Recommendation

That the Committee is asked to submit to the County Council this statement of the estimated expenses of the Committee for approval.