(1)In section 42 of the [1988 c. 40.] Education Reform Act 1988 (publication of schemes and financial statements etc.)—
(a)in subsection (4), paragraphs (f) to (i) are omitted,
(b)subsection (5)(b) is omitted,
(c)in subsection (6) after “with respect to” there is inserted—
“(aa)the planned financial provision in that year specified in the statement prepared by the authority under subsection (3) above”, and
(d)for subsection (8) there is substituted—
“(8)The authority shall furnish—
(a)the governing body of each school required to be covered by the scheme in any financial year, and
(b)the governing bodies of such grant-maintained schools in the authority’s area and grant-maintained special schools mentioned in section 34(4)(c) of this Act as may be prescribed,
with a copy of each statement prepared by the authority under this section in relation to that year or, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, with such part or parts of it as may be prescribed.”
(2)After that section there is inserted—
(1)This section applies where in the case of any local education authority the authority’s financial provision for county and voluntary schools is subject to regulation by a scheme.
(2)Any such local education authority shall, if directed to do so by the Secretary of State, require the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales to make arrangements in accordance with section 29(1)(d) of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 for certifying such statement or statements prepared by the authority under section 42 of this Act as may be specified in the directions; and any statement under that section shall be treated for the purposes of section 29(1)(d) of that Act as a return by the authority.
(3)The arrangements made by the Audit Commission in pursuance of subsection (2) above shall include arrangements for sending a copy of any such statement or statements as so certified to the Secretary of State.
(4)Directions given under subsection (2) above may relate to any local education authority or to local education authorities generally or to any class or description of such authorities.”
(3)In Schedule 4 to that Act (financing of new schools) in paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs (3)(b) and (c) and (4)(b) and (c) are omitted.