Explanatory note

This is the first time that the enabling power under 19(7) has been used to amend the Further Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 to change the financial year of the Further Education Colleges.

Article 3 amends Article 19(6) to change the ending of the financial year from the period of 12 months ending on 31st July to the period of 12 months ending on 31st March, the same as the financial year of the Department for the Economy.

Article 4 provides the transitional provisions for the requirements relating to the statement of accounts and the development plan.