(1)    Part 2 of Schedule 3 to SSFA 1998 (funding of voluntary aided schools) is amended as follows.

(2)    In paragraph 3, as it applies in relation to England, omit sub-paragraph (3) (the definition of “capital expenditure” for the purposes of the Schedule).

(3)    After paragraph 9 insert—

Meaning of “capital expenditure”

(1)    This paragraph applies for the purposes of this Schedule as it applies in relation to England.

(2)    Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), references in this Schedule to capital expenditure, in relation to an appropriate body or the promoters, in the case of a voluntary aided school, are references to—

(a)    expenditure of the body or, as the case may be, the promoters which falls to be capitalised in accordance with proper accounting practices, or

(b)    expenditure which would fall to be so capitalised were it to be incurred by the body or, as the case may be, the promoters.

(3)    The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe classes or descriptions of expenditure which are to be treated for the purposes of this Schedule as being, or as not being, capital expenditure in relation to—

(a)    any appropriate body, or any prescribed class or description of appropriate body;

(b)    any promoters, or any prescribed class or description of promoters.

(4)    The Secretary of State may by direction provide that, in the case of a particular voluntary aided school—

(a)    expenditure of a particular appropriate body which is expenditure of a particular class or description;

(b)    expenditure of particular promoters which is expenditure of a particular class or description,

is to be treated for the purposes of this Schedule as being, or as not being, capital expenditure in relation to that body, or as the case may be, those promoters.

(5)    Directions under sub-paragraph (4) may be expressed to have effect in specified circumstances or subject to specified conditions.

(6)    In this paragraph an “appropriate body”, in the case of a voluntary aided school, means—

(a)    the governing body of the school, or

(b)    a relevant body in relation to the school (within the meaning of paragraph 5).

(1)    For the purposes of paragraph 9A, “proper accounting practices”, in relation to an appropriate body or the promoters, in the case of a voluntary aided school, means those accounting practices—

(a)    which, whether by virtue of any enactment or by reference to any generally recognised published code or otherwise, are regarded as proper accounting practices to be followed in the keeping of accounts by the appropriate body, or as the case may be, the promoters, or

(b)    which, whether by virtue of any enactment or by reference to any generally recognised published code or otherwise, are regarded as proper accounting practices to be followed in the keeping of accounts by the local education authority.

(2)    In the event of conflict between the accounting practices falling within paragraph (a) of sub-paragraph (1) and those falling within paragraph (b) of that sub-paragraph, only those falling within paragraph (a) are to be regarded as proper accounting practices.

(3)    In this paragraph an “appropriate body”, in the case of a voluntary aided school, has the same meaning as in paragraph 9A.”