School spending

School budgets should be more closely scrutinised by local
authorities, the Audit Commission has said.

As a result of government policies encouraging school autonomy,
including delegating budgets to schools, councils are no longer
routinely monitoring school budgets. This contrasts with the close
scrutiny by local education authorities of schools’ test and
exam results.

Clearer accountabilities for the way money is spent will be even
more important as children’s services are integrated within
children’s trusts, and extended schools are created, the
commission says.

Councils need to be more actively engaged with schools,
monitoring and providing challenge and support on their financial
management and enhancing financial skills in schools, says the
Audit Commission.

http://www.auditcommission.gov.uk