24.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, the total amount which the Secretary of State may recover by virtue of section 256 of the 1996 Act from a local education authority named in a determination under that section applying that section in respect of any school in relation to the financial year in question is the amount determined in accordance with these Regulations as the amount of the maintenance grant payable in respect of the school and financial year in question (as from time to time revised).
(2) The amount which would otherwise fall to be determined in accordance with paragraph (1) above as the total amount recoverable from a local education authority by virtue of section 256 of the 1996 Act in respect of any school for the financial year in question may be reduced by an amount not exceeding the amount outstanding in respect of any excess amount recovered by the Secretary of State under that section in respect of the school in relation to any previous financial year.