The forum considers issues such as revenue budget settlement for schools, the distribution formula, contracts and other financial issues.
Revenue budget settlement for schools
The main issue for the Forum to consider will be the opportunity to offer advice to the Authority on school budgets for the forthcoming financial year and to bring to the Authority's attention the financial pressures falling on future years.
In doing this the Forum may consider the effect upon schools of the previous budget settlement, comparative funding statistics and any external funding facilities.
The distribution formula
The regulations provide for the Local Authority to consult the Forum on changes to the Authority's school funding formula and the financial effect of any changes.
Contracts
The regulations state that the Local Authority must consult the Forum on contracts for supplies and services that exceed the current threshold for procurement. Current thresholds for Procurements that are to be dealt with under the European Union procurement directives and the Regulations that implement them in the UK are:
- Services: £172,514
- Supplies: £172,514
- Works: £4,322,012
Financial issues
The Authority will also be required to consult the Forum annually on the exercise of their functions in relation to their schools budget and changes to their financial schemes. They are also to consult the forum, as they see fit, on any other matters concerning the funding of schools.
