A SCHEME to improve Local Education Authority (LEA) services to schools across the county has been given the thumbs up.

On Monday last week, Surrey County Council's policy-making executive gave the go-ahead for the council to seek tenders from external partners for the provision of a new school support service.

The executive is currently considering the establishment of a joint venture company with an external partner, which would enable it to sell its services to other local education authorities (LEAs) and schools outside Surrey.

Under current legislation, Surrey County Council's powers to trade its education services are limited by law.

The creation of a new joint venture company would free the council from these restrictions and enable it to continue to provide a public service, with the added bonus of private sector investment.

Kay Hammond, executive member for children and young people, said: "The Department of Education and Skills has stated that it sees a small number of organisations providing school support services and, as these organisations are offering higher salaries to encourage LEA staff to join them, it is vital we adopt a new approach to retain our employees."

Surrey County Council would be the main customer of the body, which will continue to provide schools with services including education finance and personnel, facilities management, governor services, curriculum and ICT support.

The council will now issue a notice requesting interested partners to provide information on their legal, financial and educational standing.