Contact: Jon Pittam, ext 7400

1 Summary

1.1 The Government is consulting on new school funding arrangements from 2006/07 with a closing date of 13 May 2005.

1.2 The following decisions are sought:

· to note the fundamental changes proposed in schools funding

· to agree the consultation response.

2 Reason

2.1 The Leader and Cabinet will wish to ensure that its views are submitted in response to the consultation exercise.

2.2 The changes will have an effect on all the aims of the corporate strategy, particularly:

· Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities

· Aim 5 - improving services

3 Other options considered and rejected

3.1 Not applicable.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted

4.1 Not applicable

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable

6 Reason for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T K Thornber, CBE