Explanatory note

This Order enables the Kingston-upon-Hull City Council to provide meals, milk and other refreshments free of charge to pupils attending primary and special schools and pupil referral units which it maintains.

Under article 1 the Order only has effect in respect of the authority and the schools as defined, and will last for three years.

Article 2 amends section 512ZA of the Education Act 1996 by replacing the duty to charge with a power to charge, while preserving the requirement that where a charge is made it must be the same for identical quantities of the same item. Articles 3 to 6 make consequential amendments to provisions of the Budget Regulations and the FMS Regulations.

Article 3 enables the authority to retain centrally all expenditure on meals without affecting the limit on central expenditure. Article 4 removes the option for schools to have the funding delegated, and omits references to former grant-maintained schools as there are none in the area of the authority. Articles 5 and 6 ensure that the effect of the minimum funding guarantee on schools' delegated budgets is not adversely affected by the retention.

Article 7 grants an exemption from the requirement to consult before 1st April 2004 on changes to the formula consequent on the making of this Order.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.