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The reform of children’s services could be undermined by the government’s five-year education strategy, the Local Government Association has warned, writes Sally Gillen.

The strategy, launched last week by education secretary Charles Clarke, will mean every school will be independent, have new freedoms, and be funded by three-year budgets from 2006.

Although funding will officially continue to be channelled through local authorities, councils will not be allowed to divert the dedicated schools budget to other services.

Former LGA chair Sir Jeremy Beecham reacted angrily to the proposals, claiming that the association had not been consulted.

Speaking at the LGA’s annual conference in Bournemouth last week, Beecham said: “Any attempt to diminish the role of local councils in education, from whatever source, would serve to undermine the thrust of the new education and children’s agenda.

“Removing responsibility for admissions policies, and weakening the connection between schools and other local services, would threaten the development of seamless children’s services.”

Under the plans, secondary schools will be entitled to own their own land and buildings, manage their assets, employ staff, improve their governing bodies, and forge partnerships with outside sponsors. By 2008, every secondary school that is up to standard should be a specialist school.

All schools that are not yet foundation schools will be able to vote to become one.