Warwickshire County Council officers have been working with schools in recent months who have found themselves in unexpected budget deficits.

In order to support all schools in the budget setting and monitoring process, we have put together a visual summary that sets out the key actions and monitoring responsibilities for the local authority and for schools. This clarifies what is expected in the "Scheme for the Financing of Schools" (Section 48 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998).

The process covers four topic areas:

• Budget planning
• Termly reporting
• Annual returns/year end
• Cash flow issues/deficit recovery

Please could we ask you to share this summary with the appropriate members of staff in your school as well as your Governing Bodies and encourage them to follow this process.

We hope that you find this visual reference useful and that they will help to improve financial planning.

For any queries please contact Neill Butler (WCC Finance) on 01926 412240 or email neillbutler@warwickshire.gov.uk