PART IPRELIMINARY

Citation, commencement and application

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Education (Transition to New Framework) (School Organisation Proposals) Regulations 1999 and–

(a)this Part and Part II shall come into force on 1st April 1999; and

(b)Parts III and IV shall come into force on 1st September 1999.

(2) Parts II and IV of these Regulations do not apply to local education authorities or schools maintained by (or, in the case of new schools, proposed to be maintained by) local education authorities in Wales.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In these Regulations–

“the 1996 Act” means the Education Act 1996(2);

“the 1998 Act” means the School Standards and Framework Act 1998;

“the 1999 Regulations” means the Education (Transition to New Framework) (New Schools, Groups and Miscellaneous) Regulations 1999(3);

“the plan approval date” in relation to any local education authority means the date on which the first school organisation plan for that authority has been approved under section 26 of the 1998 Act.

(2) Until 1st September 1999 in the context of a grant-maintained school or grant-maintained special school any reference in these Regulations to the local education authority which maintains or is to maintain the school is a reference to the local education authority for the area in which the school is situated, unless paragraph (3) applies.

(3) Where however an order has been made under section 20(5) of the 1998 Act in respect of a grant-maintained school to the effect that it shall be maintained from 1st September 1999 by the former maintaining authority rather than the authority in whose area it is situated on 1st September 1999, any reference in these Regulations, in the context of that school to the local education authority which maintains the school is (until 1st September 1999) a reference to the former maintaining authority.

(4) For the purposes of these regulations proposals are determined where–

(a)the proposals have been approved (with or without modification) or rejected by the Secretary of State;

(b)a local education authority have determined whether or not the proposals should be implemented, or

(c)the funding authority have determined whether to adopt the proposals,

as appropriate.

(5) Where these regulations provide for any statutory provision to continue to apply, that provision shall continue to apply in accordance with the relevant provisions of these regulations after the date of the coming into force of the repeal of the statutory provision in question effected by Schedule 31 to the 1998 Act and despite the coming into force of that repeal.

PART IITRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS CONSEQUENT ON THE COMING INTO FORCE ON 1ST APRIL 1999 OF REPEALS RELATING TO THE FUNCTIONS OF THE FUNDING AUTHORITY

Proposals under section 212 of the 1996 Act

3.  Where proposals published under section 212 of the 1996 Act were approved before 1st October 1998 (when the repeal of section 212 of the 1996 Act came into force) sections 215(1), (3) and (4) , 216(1) and 217 of that Act shall continue to apply in relation to such proposals.

Proposals under section 260 of the 1996 Act

4.—(1) Where before 1st April 1999 the funding authority have published proposals under section 260 of the 1996 Act (proposals for change of character etc. to grant-maintained schools by funding authority) which have not been determined before 1st April 1999, sections 260(7) to (9) and section 261 of the 1996 Act shall continue to apply in relation to such proposals but–

(a)all such proposals shall require the approval of the Secretary of State (despite section 261(2)); and

(b)the Secretary of State shall consult the local education authority which maintains the school and the governing body of the school before taking any decision under section 261(3).

(2) Where before 1st April 1999 the funding authority have, under section 260 of the 1996 Act, submitted to the Secretary of State a copy of proposals for a school to cease to be an establishment which admits pupils of one sex only, section 552(3) of the 1996 Act (except for paragraph (b) and the words “or, as the case may be, the funding authority”) shall continue to apply in relation to such proposals.

Modification of section 262 of the 1996 Act

5.—(1) Section 262 of the 1996 Act shall have effect as if–

(a)in subsection (1), for “the funding authority” or “the authority” in each place where those words occur there were substituted “the Secretary of State”;

(b)for subsection (2) there were substituted–

“(2) Where the funding authority have published proposals under section 260 the governing body shall, if the Secretary of State so directs, submit to the Secretary of State at such time and in such form and manner as he may direct, the particulars mentioned in subsection (3); and particulars so submitted require the approval of the Secretary of State under this section.”;

(c)for subsection (3)(b) there were substituted–

“(b)such other particulars in respect of the premises or proposed premises of the school as the Secretary of State may require.”.

(2) Any directions given by the finding authority under section 262(1) of the 1996 Act before 1st April 1999 shall be treated for the purposes of that subsection (as modified in accordance with paragraph (1) above) as a direction given by the Secretary of State.

(3) The modifications made to section 262(2) and (3)(b) of the 1996 Act by paragraph (1) above shall not apply in any case where the funding authority have adopted particulars under section 262(2) of that Act before 1st April 1999.

Proposals under section 268 of the 1996 Act

6.  Where before 1st April 1999 the funding authority have published proposals under section 268(2) of the 1996 Act (proposals by funding authority for discontinuance of a grant-maintained school) which have not been determined before 1st April 1999, sections 268(6) and (7) and 269 of the 1996 Act shall continue to apply in relation to such proposals but–

(a)all such proposals shall require the approval of the Secretary of State (despite section 269(2)); and

(b)the Secretary of State may only approve the proposals if the local education authority which maintains the school consent and otherwise he shall reject them.

Proposals under section 339 of the 1996 Act

7.—(1) Where before 1st April 1999 the funding authority have under section 339(5) of the 1996 Act served notice of proposals such as is mentioned in section 339(2) of that Act (establishment etc. of grant-maintained special schools)–

(a)in the case of proposals such as are mentioned in section 339(2)(a) or (c) the Secretary of State may only approve the proposals under section 340(4) of that Act if the local education authority which maintains or is to maintain the school consents and otherwise he shall reject them; and

(b)in the case of proposals such as are mentioned in section 339(2)(b), the Secretary of State shall consult the local authority which maintains the school and the governing body of the school before taking any decision under section 340(4) of that Act.

(2) Where–

(a)proposals such as are mentioned in section 339(2)(a) of the 1996 Act were approved before 1st April 1999 but have not been implemented before that date, or

(b)such proposals were approved on or after 1st April 1999 in accordance with paragraph (1),

section 339(6) and 340(5)(b) shall have effect, in relation to such proposals, as if for “the body which served the notice” there were substituted “the local education authority which is to maintain the school”.

PART IIITRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS CONSEQUENT ON THE COMING INTO FORCE OF CHAPTER II OF PART II OF THE 1998 ACT (ESTABLISHMENT, ALTERATION OR DISCONTINUANCE OF SCHOOLS)

Approval of proposals published before 1st September 1999 to establish a new school

8.—(1) This regulation applies where before 1st September 1999–

(a)proposals have been published under section 35(1) or 41(1) of the 1996 Act to establish a school, to maintain a school as a county school or that a school established or proposed to be established should be maintained as a voluntary school;

(b)notice has been served under section 339(5) of the 1996 Act of proposals such as are mentioned in section 339(1)(a) or 339(2)(a) of that Act;

but the proposals have not been determined before that date.

(2) Where this regulation applies–

(a)sections 36 to 39 of the 1996 Act shall, where the proposals were published under section 35 of the 1996 Act, continue to apply in relation to the making of objections to such proposals, to the approval of such proposals or the determination that they should be implemented, and to the approval of particulars of school premises;

(b)sections 42 to 44 of the 1996 Act shall, where the proposals were published under section 41(1) of the 1996 Act, continue to apply in relation to the making of objections to, and approval of, such proposals, and to the approval of school premises;

(c)sections 340(2) to (4), (6) and (7) and 341 of the 1996 Act shall, where notice of the proposals was given under section 339(5) of the 1996 Act, continue to apply in relation to the making of objections to, and approval of, such proposals and approval of school premises.

Order that school is to be voluntary controlled or voluntary aided

9.—(1) Where, in relation to proposals to which regulation 8 applies, an application was made to the Secretary of State under section 48 of the 1996 Act before 1st September 1999, but no order was made under that section before that date, the Secretary of State may by order direct–

(a)that the school shall be a voluntary controlled school, or

(b)that the school shall be a voluntary aided school.

(2) Where an application was made for an order under section 48(1)(b) of the 1996 Act and the Secretary of State is satisfied that the governing body of the school will be able and willing, with the assistance of grants under paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the 1998 Act, to defray the expenses that would fall to be borne by them by virtue of paragraph 3(1) or (2) of Schedule 3 to that Act as the governing body of a voluntary aided school, he shall make an order directing that the school shall be a voluntary aided school.

(3) Where an application was made for an order under section 48(1)(b) of the 1996 Act and–

(a)the Secretary of State is not satisfied that the governing body will be able to defray those expenses without the assistance of both–

(i)grant under paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the 1998 Act; and

(ii)a loan under paragraph 7 of that Schedule; and

(b)it appears to him that the area to be served by the school will not be also served by a community, foundation or voluntary controlled school,

he shall, before deciding whether to make such an order, consult such persons or bodies as appear to him to be representative of any religion or religious denomination which in his opinion, having regard to the circumstances of the area, is likely to be concerned.

Continued application of section 63 of the 1996 Act

10.  Where regulation 8 applies, section 63 of the 1996 Act shall continue to apply in relation to proposals of a description referred to in that section; and in relation to any period on or after 1st September 1999 references in that section to a voluntary school shall be construed as references to a voluntary school within the meaning of the 1998 Act and references to a grant-maintained school shall be construed as references to a foundation school within the meaning of the 1998 Act.

Implementation of approved proposals to establish a new school

11.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) this regulation applies where–

(a)proposals published under section 35(1)(a) or (b), or 41(1) of the 1996 Act, have been approved under section 37 or 43 of that Act (either before 1st September 1999 or on or after that date under those provisions as they have effect by virtue of regulation 8(2));

(b)proposals such as are mentioned in section 339(1)(a) or (2)(a) have been approved under section 340(4) of the 1996 Act (either before 1st September 1996 or on or after that date under those provisions as they have effect by virtue of regulation 8(2)); or

(c)a local education authority have determined under section 38 of the 1996 Act to implement proposals published under section 35(1)(a) or (b) of the 1996 Act (either before 1st September 1999 or on or after that date under that provision as it has effect by virtue of regulation 8(2)),

but the proposals have not been implemented before 1st September 1999.

(2) This regulation does not apply where the proposed school is one falling within regulation 6 of the 1999 Regulations.

(3) Where this regulation applies–

(a)proposals which were approved under any of the provisions referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act as if they were required to be, and were, approved under paragraph 3 or 8 of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act; and

(b)where the local education authority have determined under section 38 of the 1996 Act to implement proposals they shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act as having determined under paragraph 4 or 9 of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act to implement the proposals;

and accordingly such proposals fall to be implemented under paragraph 5 or 10 of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act (in accordance with regulation 12 but subject to regulations 13 and 19).

Implementation of proposals to establish a new school – further provisions

12.  Where regulation 11 applies–

(a)proposals published under section 35 of the 1996 Act shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act as proposals published under section 28(1)(a) of that Act to establish a new community school, and accordingly the school, when open, (or, in a case of proposals published under section 35(1)(b) of the 1996 Act, when it is open as a school maintained by the local education authority) shall be a community school and treated as established as such under section 28 of that Act;

(b)proposals published under section 41(1) of the 1996 Act shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act–

(i)in a case where the Secretary of State has (before 1st September 1999) made an order under section 48(1)(a) of the 1996 Act or (on or after that date) an order under regulation 9(1)(a), as proposals published under section 28(2)(a) of the 1998 Act to establish a new voluntary controlled school and accordingly the school, when open, (or, in the case of proposals published under section 42(1)(b) of the 1996 Act, when it is open as a school maintained by the local education authority) shall be a voluntary controlled school and treated as established as such under section 28 of that Act; and

(ii)where the Secretary of State has (before 1st September 1999) made an order under section 48(1)(b) of the 1996 Act or, (on or after that date) an order under regulation 9(1)(b), as proposals published under section 28(2)(a) of the 1998 Act to establish a new voluntary aided school, and accordingly the school, when open, (or, in the case of proposals published under section 42(1)(b) of the 1996 Act, when it is open as a school maintained by the local education authority) shall be a voluntary aided school and treated as established as such under section 28 of that Act;

(c)proposals such as are mentioned in section 339(1)(a) or (2)(a) of the 1996 Act shall be treated for the purpose of the 1998 Act as proposals published under section 31(1)(a) of that Act to establish a new community special school and accordingly the school, when open, shall be a community special school and treated as established as such under section 31 of that Act.

Temporary governing bodies

13.  Where regulation 8 applies and a temporary governing body has been established in pursuance of an arrangement made under section 96(3) or 97(2) of the 1996 Act in anticipation of approval of proposals or the determination that they should be implemented–

(a)that temporary governing body shall be treated for the purposes of the Education Acts as if they were a temporary governing body constituted in pursuance of arrangements made under section 44 of the 1998 Act; and

(b)the school shall be treated for the purposes of section 44 of the 1998 Act as falling within section 44(1) of that Act, so that the said section 44 (except any provision made by or under that section relating to the making and termination of arrangements for the constitution of temporary governing bodies, and the constitution of such bodies) shall apply.

Approval of proposals published before 1st September 1999 to make alterations to, or discontinue, a school

14.—(1) This regulation applies where before 1st September 1999–

(a)proposals have been published under section 35(1)(c) or (d), 41(2), 167(1), 259(1), 260(2) or 267(1) of the 1996 Act; or

(b)notice has been served under section 339(5) of the 1996 Act of proposals such as are mentioned in section 339(1)(b) or (c) or (3) of that Act,

but the proposals have not been determined before that date.

(2) Where this regulation applies–

(a)sections 36 to 39 of the 1996 Act shall, where the proposals were published under section 35 of the 1996 Act, continue to apply in relation to the making of objections to such proposals, to the approval of such proposals, or determination that such proposals should be implemented, and to the approval of particulars of school premises;

(b)sections 42 to 44 of the 1996 Act shall, where the proposals were published under section 41(2) of the 1996 Act, continue to apply in relation to the making of objections to, and approval of, such proposals, and to the approval of school premises;

(c)sections 168 to 170 of the 1996 Act shall, where the proposals were published under section 167 of the 1996 Act, continue to apply in relation to the making of objections to, and the approval of such proposals or determination that such proposals should be implemented;

(d)sections 259(6) and (7), 261 and 262 (as modified by regulation 5) of the 1996 Act shall, where the proposals were published under section 259 of the 1996 Act, continue to apply in relation to the making of objections to, and approval of such proposals, and to the approval of school premises;

(e)section 262 of the 1996 Act (as modified by regulation 5) shall, where the proposals were published under section 260 of the 1996 Act, continue to apply, in relation to the approval of school premises;

(f)sections 267(7) and 269 of the 1996 Act shall, where proposals were published under section 267(1) of that Act, continue to apply in relation to the making of objections to, and approval of such proposals; and

(g)sections 340(2) to (4) and 341 of the 1996 Act shall, where proposals were published under section 339 of the 1996 Act continue to have effect in relation to the making of objections to, and approval of, such proposals, and to the approval of school premises.

Continued application of section 64 of the 1996 Act

15.  Where regulation 14 applies, section 64 of the 1996 Act shall continue to apply in relation to proposals of a description referred to in that section, and in relation to any period after 1st September 1999–

(a)references in that section to a controlled school (within the meaning of the 1996 Act) shall have effect as references to a voluntary controlled school within the meaning of the 1998 Act; and

(b)references in that section to a voluntary school (within the meaning of the 1996 Act) shall have effect as references to a voluntary school within the meaning of the 1998 Act.

Implementation of proposals to make alterations to, or discontinue, a school

16.—(1) This regulation applies where

(a)proposals published under section 35(1)(c) or (d), 41(2), 167(1), 259(1), 260(2), 267(1) or 268(2) of the 1996 Act have been approved under sections 37, 43, 169, 261 or 269 of the 1996 Act (either before 1st September 1999 or on or after that date under those provisions as they have effect by virtue of regulation 14(2));

(b)proposals such as are mentioned in section 339(1)(b) or (c) or (3) of the 1996 Act have been approved under section 340(4) of the 1996 Act (either before 1st September 1999 or on or after that date under those provisions as they have effect by virtue of regulation 14(2)); or

(c)a local education authority have determined under section 38 or 170 of the 1996 Act to implement proposals published under section 35(1)(c) or (d) or, as the case may be, section 167(1) of the 1996 Act (either before 1st September 1999 or on or after that date under those provisions as they have effect by virtue of regulation 14(2)),

but the proposals have not been implemented before 1st September 1999.

(2) Where this regulation applies–

(a)proposals which were approved under any of the provisions referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) shall be treated as if they were required to be, and were, approved under paragraph 3 or 8 of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act; and

(b)where a local education authority have determined under section 38 or 170 of the 1996 Act to implement proposals they shall be treated as having determined under paragraph 4 or 9 of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act to implement the proposals,

and accordingly the proposals fall to be implemented under paragraph 5 or 10 of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act (in accordance with regulation 17 and but subject to regulation 19).

Implementation of proposals to make alterations to, or to discontinue, a school – further provisions

17.  Where regulation 16 applies–

(a)proposals published under section 35(1)(c) or (d) of the 1996 Act shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act as proposals published under section 28(1)(b) of that Act;

(b)proposals published under section 41(2) of the 1996 Act relating to an aided or special agreement school shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act as proposals published under section 28(2)(b) of that Act relating to a voluntary aided school;

(c)proposals published under section 41(2) of the 1996 Act relating to a controlled school shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act as proposals published under section 28(2)(b) of that Act relating to a voluntary controlled school;

(d)proposals published under section 167 of the 1996 Act shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act as proposals published by a local education authority under section 29(1) of that Act;

(e)proposals published under section 259 or 260 of the 1996 Act shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act as published under section 28(1)(b) of the Act by a local education authority (where the relevant category of school is a community school) or under section 28(2)(b) of that Act by the governing body of the relevant category of school (in any other case) and in this sub-paragraph the “relevant category of school” is a community, foundation, voluntary aided or voluntary controlled school depending on the category to which the school in question was allocated on 1st September 1999.

(f)proposals published under section 267 or 268 of the 1996 Act shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act as proposals published under section 29(1)(a) of the Act by a local education authority (where the relevant category of school is a community school) or under section 29(2) of that Act by the governing body of the relevant category of school (in any other case) and in this sub-paragraph “relevant category” has the same meaning as in sub-paragraph (e);

(g)proposals published under section 339(1)(b) or (c) of the 1996 Act shall be treated for the purposes of the 1998 Act as proposals published under section 31(1)(b) or (c) of that Act to make a prescribed alteration to, or discontinue, a community special school;

(h)proposals published under section 339(3) of the 1996 Act shall be treated, for the purposes of that Act as published under section 31(2) of that Act.

Continued application of directions under sections 63 and 64 of the 1996 Act

18.  Where before 1st September 1999 any direction was given under section 63 or 64 of the 1996 Act in relation to proposals which on the appointed day fall to be implemented under paragraph 5 or 10 of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act by virtue of–

(a)regulation 6 of the 1999 Regulations; or

(b)regulation 11 or 16 above,

that direction shall continue to have effect despite the repeal of sections 63 and 64 of the 1996 Act.

Implementation of proposals – supplementary

19.—(1) This regulation applies where on or after 1st September 1999 proposals fall to be implemented under paragraph 5 or 10 of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act (by virtue of regulation 6 of the 1999 Regulations or regulation 11 or 16 above).

(2) Where this regulation applies and a direction has been given under section 63 or 64 of the 1996 Act (whether such a direction was given before 1st September and continues to have effect under regulation 18 or was given after that date under section 63 or 64 of the 1996 Act as those sections continue to have effect by virtue of regulations 10 or 15) in relation to any proposals treated as published under section 28(2) of the 1998 Act, such proposals shall be treated for the purposes of paragraph 13(3) of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act as having provided for the local education authority to implement them.

(3) Where this regulation applies and–

(a)proposals are treated as published under section 28(2) of the 1998 Act but paragraph (2) does not apply, or

(b)proposals are treated as published under section 31(2)(a) of the 1998 Act,

such proposals shall be treated, for the purposes of paragraph 13(3) or 15(3) of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act as having provided for the promoters or, as the case may be, the governing body to implement them.

(4) Where this regulation applies, paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act shall have effect as if “the Secretary of State” were substituted for “the relevant committee”.

Transitional Exemption Orders for the purposes of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975

20.—(1) Where regulation 16 applies and the proposals in question are proposals for a school to cease to be an establishment which admits pupils of one sex only, paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975(4) and section 552(4) of the 1996 Act (where applicable) shall continue to apply in relation to the making by the Secretary of State of a transitional exemption order.

(2) In this regulation “transitional exemption order” has the same meaning as in section 27 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

PART IVMODIFICATIONS TO CHAPTER II OF PART II OF THE 1998 ACT UNTIL SCHOOL ORGANISATION PLAN IS APPROVED

Modifications to the 1998 Act

21.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where the plan approval date for any local education authority in England falls after 1st September 1999 the provisions of Chapter II of Part II of the 1998 Act referred to in the Schedule to these Regulations shall, until the plan approval date for that authority, have effect in relation to proposals published under sections 28, 29 or 31 of, or paragraph 5 of Schedule 7 to, the 1998 Act which–

(a)are published by that authority; or

(b)relate to a school maintained by, or situated in the area of, that authority; or

(c)are proposals for the establishment of a new school to be maintained by, or to be situated in the area of, that authority; or

(d)are proposals to make a prescribed alteration to a school which consists of the transfer of the school to a new site where either the old site or the new site is in the area of that authority,

with the modifications specified in the Schedule.

(2) Those modifications shall not however affect the power to make regulations under paragraph 5(4) of Schedule 6 to the 1998 Act; and any regulations so made which are in force on the plan approval date in relation to any local education authority shall apply from that date in relation to proposals which relate to a school maintained by, or situated in the area of, that authority.

Transitional provisions when modifications cease to have effect

22.  Where in the case of any local education authority–

(a)the plan approval date falls after 1st September 1999 (so that the modifications specified in the Schedule apply in accordance with regulation 21); and

(b)proposals such as are mentioned in regulation 21(1) are published before the plan approval date and are not determined before that date,

the provisions of Chapter II of Part II of the 1998 Act referred to in the Schedule to these Regulations shall continue to apply with the modifications specified in that Schedule in relation to those proposals.

Regulation 21

SCHEDULE0MODIFICATIONS TO PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER II OF PART II OF THE 1998 ACT

1.  In section 28(6) for “to the school organisation committee for the area of the local education authority who maintain the school or (in the case of a new school) who it is proposed should maintain the school” there shall be substituted “to the Secretary of State”.

2.  In section 29(5) for “to the school organisation committee for the area of the local education authority who maintain the school” there shall be substituted “to the Secretary of State”.

3.  In section 31(5) for “to the school organisation committee for the area of the local education authority who maintain the school or (in the case of a new school) who it is proposed should maintain the school” there shall be substituted “to the Secretary of State”.

4.  In Schedule 6–

(a)paragraph 1(2) shall be omitted;

(b)in paragraph 2(2)(b) and (3) for “the relevant committee” there shall be substituted “the Secretary of State”;

(c)for paragraph 3(1) there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraph–

“(1) Proposals published under section 28, 29 or 31 require approval under this paragraph if–

(a)the proposals were published by a local education authority and either–

(i)the Secretary of State, within two months after a copy of the published proposals is sent to him under that section, gives notice to the local education authority that the proposals require such approval; or

(ii)objections to the proposals have been made in accordance with paragraph 2 and any of them have not been withdrawn in writing within the objection period; or

(b)the proposals were published by a governing body or promoters”;

(d)in paragraph 3(2) for “Where any proposals require approval under this paragraph they shall be considered in the first instance by the relevant committee who may –” there shall be substituted “Where any proposals require approval under this paragraph the Secretary of State may –”;

(e)paragraph 3(4) to (7) shall be omitted;

(f)for paragraph 4 there shall be substituted the following paragraph–

“4—(1) Where any proposals published by a local education authority under section 28, 29 or 31 do not require approval under paragraph 3 the local education authority shall determine whether the proposals should be implemented.

(2) Any determination under sub-paragraph (1) must be made within four months after a copy of the published proposals was sent to the Secretary of State under section 28, 29 or 31.

(3) The local education authority shall notify the Secretary of State of any determination made by them under sub-paragraph (1)”;

(g)in paragraph 5(2) for “the relevant committee” there shall be substituted “the Secretary of State”;

(h)paragraph 5(3) to (7) and “(3) or” in paragraph 5(9) shall be omitted;

(i)in paragraph 21(2)(a) and (b) for “the school organisation committee” there shall be substituted “the Secretary of State”;

(j)for paragraph 21(3) there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraph–

“(3) The sending of the published proposals to the Secretary of State shall be treated as an application by the responsible body for the making by the Secretary of State of a transitional exemption order, and he may make such an order accordingly.”.

5.  In Schedule 7–

(a)paragraphs 2(5) and 3(5) shall be omitted;

(b)in paragraph 7(2)(a) for “the school organisation committee for the area to which those proposals relate” there shall be substituted “the Secretary of State”;

(c)for paragraphs 8 and 9 there shall be substituted–

“Local inquiry into proposals

8.—(1) This paragraph applies where in relation to the area of any local education authority the Secretary of State has made proposals under paragraph 5 (otherwise than in pursuance of paragraph 9(1)) which he has not withdrawn.

(2) If objections have been made under paragraph 7(1) within the period prescribed in accordance with paragraph 7(2)(b), then, unless all objections so made have been withdrawn in writing within that period, the Secretary of State shall cause a local inquiry to be held to consider his proposals, any proposals he refers to the inquiry and any such objections.

(3) Any proposals referred to a local inquiry under this paragraph require the approval of the Secretary of State (if they would not require such approval apart from this sub-paragraph).

(4) Where the Secretary of State has a duty to cause a local inquiry to be held under this paragraph, he shall refer to the inquiry–

(a)any other proposals published under paragraph 5 in relation to the area of the local education authority (and not withdrawn),

(b)any proposals made by that authority in the exercise of their powers to make proposals for the establishment, alteration or discontinuance of schools (and not withdrawn), and

(c)any proposals made by the governing body of any foundation, voluntary or foundation special school in the area in the exercise of their powers to make proposals for the alteration of their school (and not withdrawn),

where those proposals are not determined before he causes the inquiry to be held and appear to him to be related to the proposals made under paragraph 5 in respect of which he is required under this paragraph to cause the inquiry to be held.

(5) If, before the Secretary of State causes the inquiry to be held, he forms the opinion that any proposals ought to be implemented, sub-paragraph (4) does not require him to refer those proposals to the inquiry unless–

(a)before the proceedings on the inquiry are concluded, or

(b)(if earlier) the proposals are determined,

he subsequently forms a different opinion.

(6) It shall not be open to the inquiry to question the principles specified in the order under paragraph 2(2) or 3(2).

(7) References in this paragraph to the determination of any proposals are to–

(a)any determination whether or not to approve or adopt the proposals under paragraph 3 of Schedule 6 or paragraph 9 below, or

(b)any determination whether or not to implement the proposals under paragraph 4 of Schedule 6.

Adoption of proposals

9.—(1) Where the Secretary of State has published proposals under paragraph 5 in respect of which he is required to cause a local inquiry to be held, he may when he has considered the report of the person appointed to hold the inquiry do one or more of the following–

(a)adopt, with or without modifications, or determine not to adopt the proposals or any other proposals made by him under that paragraph which he referred to the inquiry;

(b)approve, with or without modifications, or reject any other proposals which he referred to the inquiry; and

(c)make any such further proposals under paragraph 5 as might have been made in accordance with the order or orders relating to the area of the local education authority concerned by the body to whom the directions were given.

(2) Where the Secretary of State has published proposals under paragraph 5 in respect of which he is not required to cause a local inquiry to be held and which he is not required to refer to such an inquiry, he may, after considering any objections made under paragraph 7(1) (and not withdrawn) within the period prescribed in accordance with paragraph 7(2)(b)–

(a)adopt the proposals with or without modifications; or

(b)determine not to adopt the proposals.

(3) Any adoption of proposals under this paragraph may be expressed to take effect only if any event specified in the adoption occurs by a date so specified.”

(d)in paragraph 10–

(i)for “Proposals approved by the school organisation committee under paragraph 8 or by the adjudicator under paragraph 9” there shall be substituted “Proposals adopted by the Secretary of State under paragraph 9”; and

(ii)for “and had been approved by the school organisation committee or the adjudicator, as the case may be, under paragraph 3 of Schedule 6” there shall be substituted “and had been approved by the Secretary of State under paragraph 3 of Schedule 6”;

(e)in paragraph 16 for sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) there shall be substituted–

“(2) Where such proposals are made under paragraph 5 of this Schedule, the responsible body shall be treated as having made an application to the Secretary of State for the making of a transitional exemption order, and the Secretary of State may make such an order accordingly.”;

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make transitional provisions, consequent on the introduction of the new framework for maintained schools provided for in Part II of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, relating to provisions for the publication of, and decisions on, proposals for the establishment, alteration and discontinuance of maintained schools.

Part II, which comes into force on 1st April 1999, contains provisions consequent on the Funding Agency for Schools ceasing to exercise functions. In particular, provision is made for approval by the Secretary of State of proposals published by the Funding Agency to alter or discontinue schools (regulations 4, 6 and 7) and for the Secretary of State (rather than the Funding Agency) to approve particulars of school premises (regulation 5).

Part III, which comes into force on 1st September 1999, contains transitional provisions consequent on the coming into force (proposed for 1st September 1999) of Chapter II of Part II of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and repeal of the related provisions in the Education Act 1996. This Part provides for approval by the Secretary of State of proposals published before 1st September 1999 and makes provision for implementation of proposals approved before that date but not implemented. In particular, regulation 12 provides, in cases where proposals for the establishment of a new school were published before 1st September 1999, for the allocation of the school when open to a category under the new school framework.

Part IV, which also comes into force on 1st September 1999, modifies Chapter II of Part II of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 in respect of a local education authority in England in a case where its school organisation plan is not approved until after 1st September 1999. The modifications apply until the plan is approved, and provide for proposals for the establishment, alteration or discontinuance of schools to be decided by the Secretary of State, rather than the School Organisation Committee.