More details on the power structure following the privatisation of the district's education services were revealed today.

Bradford Council will keep overall policy control but a board of "key stakeholders" is likely to take decisions on:

l opening and closing schools

l supporting pupils with behavioural difficulties

l aspects of special educational needs.

The education policy partnership board is likely to include representatives of head teachers, governors, councillors, churches, the council and the private partner responsible for the day-to-day running of most education services. The board will also make recommendations on spending priorities within the budget and the development of the district's long-term education plan, although the council will still have final say.

It will also advise the private partner and be able to challenge council decisions. The council, board and company will all be held to account by a beefed-up education scrutiny committee.

The arrangements have been outlined by consultants Pricewaterhouse Coopers following the damning Ofsted report.

The council's Labour group leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said he was concerned that the model was too complex and might lead to conflict over budget levels. He had envisaged the board taking over the council's role in full.

Liberal-Democrat leader Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said that legally the council had to retain overall responsibility but the arrangements were designed to give the board more than an advisory role. Council chief executive Ian Stewart has told councillors that the budget would have to be fixed at Government recommended levels.

The council's executive committee unanimously voted for interim arrangements with a temporary partnership and a strengthened local education authority; that the process of finding a private partner should continue; and that an analysis on the impact of the arrangements on the rest of the council should take place.