Reduction and removal of burdens
22. The proposal clearly reduces or removes
burdens. The transfer of responsibility for meeting certain
categories of expenditure on VA school premises involves the reduction
or removal of burdens on governing bodies and LEAs, and the overall
effect of the proposal will be to reduce the administrative burdens
associated with the complex arrangements currently in place.[26]
This welcome reduction in bureaucratic burdens was confirmed directly
to us by representatives of Dioceses, LEAs, schools and governing
bodies.[27] Those aspects
of the proposal concerned with increasing the rate of support
for VA governing bodies from 85% to 90% would also reduce the
burden on the Secretary of State arising from the 85% limit on
the grant he is able to pay.[28]
Additionally, the aspect of the proposal concerned with changing
the arrangements in respect of claims and payments will have the
effect of relieving a financial burden on VA governing bodies
and, in many cases, the Dioceses which support them, since they
will no longer be required to pay invoices before receiving grant
payment from the Department in respect of those invoices.
Other benefits
23. VA schools' current reliance on funding
from LEAs means that they have often been unable to undertake
projects which they regard as a high priority, but for which LEAs
have for various reasons not provided the necessary funds. As
the explanatory memorandum notes, consultation has shown that
VA governing bodies welcome the additional flexibility in relation
to the use of grant, and greater control over decisionmaking
in respect of the premises needs of their schools, which will
be possible as a result of these proposals and the associated
funding arrangements.[29]
26 Explanatory memorandum, para 25. Back
27
Not printed. Back
28
Section 2(1) of the Regulatory Reform Act (which provides that,
in that Act, the term "burden" does not include any
burden which affects only a Minister of the Crown or government
department) does not apply here because the burden on the Secretary
of State also affects VA governing bodies. Back
29
Explanatory statement, paras 35, 42, 45, 54. Back
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