Lincolnshire County Council has reviewed the current broadband arrangements for schools that were aggregated in 2012, at the same time as the corporate network. The Local Authority through its decision-making process triggered the full three year extension to continue with the consolidated broadband offer contract for schools and corporate up to 31 October 2022.
Schools Forum has agreed annually to retain a central budget to fund the schools consolidated broadband offer each January for the following financial year in line with the School’s and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations. In 2018/19, the agreed schools broadband budget of £1.350m is held within the Central Schools Services Block (CSSB) under ‘historic commitments’ following the implementation of the national funding formula.
The Local Authority and emPSN working with schools will develop a timeline of events and options to ensure a smooth and planned transition takes place from November 2022.
