Ministers believe schools should have more say over their budgets

Head teachers have complained that councils hold back money which is earmarked for education.

The new guidelines will give schools more of a say on how the money is spent.

Cosla, the umbrella body for local authorities, said most councils were already handing schools control over most of their budgets.

It has been claimed that previously some education funds have been diverted to departments such as social work.

More commonly, council leaders allocate the money to education but councillors decide how a large chunk of it is spent, rather than letting schools make the decisions.

The executive guidelines pin down the reasons why councils can keep the funds back.