It is proposed that forums of heads and governors will decide on local funding formulas and, more significantly, make decisions about the retention of funds by local education authorities. There is the enticing possibility of “de-delegation”, which raises the interesting question - what would we give back to LEAs? Too late, I fear, to restore our county’s once magnificent music service. In time, perhaps, to avoid delegating the money to maintain special needs statements. In a rural county such as mine with small village schools and an LEA we trust, increasing delegation has never been attractive. We value control of our budget for staffing and learning resources but not managing buildings, school meals and transport. If we get the chance to turn the clock back, we shall seize it.

Joan Dalton