For maintained schools, the lead decision-maker about educational provision and the upkeep of buildings is the local authority, which retains responsibility for sufficiency of school places. DfE told us that its regional directors do not typically play a strong role in decisions about school closures, although they engage with maintained schools and other 59 July 2023 session, Q 80 60 TSB0001, Catholic Education Service, The condition of school buildings, 13 July 2023 61 July 2023 session, Qq 24–25 62 July 2023 session, Qq 82–86 63 July 2023 session, Qq 29–31 20 The condition of school buildings bodies. It also explained that it was looking at opportunities to use school space differently – for example, by using primary school sites for childcare and early years provision, or expanding the space for special and alternative provision.64