After paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Education Act 1996 (c. 56) (short stay schools: further provision) insert—

“3A

Regulations may also—

(a)

require a F3local authority in England to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State, in specified circumstances, to the closure of a short stay school;

(b)

confer a power on the Secretary of State to give directions to a F3local authority in England about the exercise of—

(i)

their functions under section 19;

(ii)

their functions under any enactment applied to short stay schools (with or without modifications) by regulations under paragraph 3;

(iii)

any other function connected with short stay schools;

(c)

require a F3local authority to comply with such directions.”