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Powys AMs secure review of Post 16 SEN funding crisis
March 10, 2009 12:00 AM
Powys AMs Kirsty Williams and Mick Bates today led a delegation calling on the Minister for Skills to reverse the post 16 funding crisis in the county.
With only 96% of the county's Post 16 Special Educational Needs (SEN) funding having been allocated by the Assembly Government, the delegation successfully secured a review of this shortfall.
From 1 April the Welsh Assembly Government will cut budgets for the education of 16-18-year-olds by 7.4%, despite the Government's new 14 -19 learning agenda under the Learning and Skills Measure. Across Wales this means the anticipated £421 million budget has been reduced to £391 million. For Powys this translates as an £844 thousand loss.
Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire said:
"It is shocking that the Minister has cut the budget for post 16 funding. Schools had already prepared their budget for the years ahead and now find themselves facing a financial shortfall in funding for key skills which is impossible to manage at this late stage.
"Many schools who have worked hard to increase sixth form pupil numbers to meet Welsh Government targets are now facing the unfair challenge of having to reconcile increased pupil numbers with a decrease in funding. Coleg Powys for example will face a funding shortfall of £1.5million and Welshpool high school over £56,000. Funding should be based on current sixth form numbers which would offer a fairer system of funding.
"It is unfair to put schools in this position without consultation or warning and with no period of transition to allow schools to adjust. A three year transition period in line with the three year funding model would allow schools to be more fully prepared for this change.
"This move to cut funding is a continuation of a downward spiral of funding in the delivery of post-16 funding in Powys. I am pleased that the Minister has agreed to review post-16 SEN but more action is needed. Powys Lib Dems will continue to put pressure on the Minister for a full review of the 7.4% cut to allow schools time to adjust and plan for the future."
Kirsty, AM for Brecon and Radnorshire said:"Whilst I am delighted that we have succeeded in getting the Minister to review the Post 16 SEN funding shortfall, I remain greatly concerned that further education across Powys as a whole continues to be in dire straits.
"Not only is the Assembly Government placing greater demands on the Post 16 sector, through the Learning and Skills Measure, but in this difficult economic climate we need to ensure that we have a skilled workforce that is highly trained in a variety of sectors - and yet the Government has chosen to cut the budget that would provide this, it simply makes no sense.
"It is disgraceful that our schools and FE colleges are being put in this impossible position; where there is reduced funding despite ever growing pressures. The short notice of the budget cuts has left providers reeling as most had already planned their individual budgets, which they can now no longer meet - this could ultimately end in the loss of 32 teaching jobs across Powys.
"I am greatly disappointed that the Minister refused to review post 16 funding as a whole. Mick and I will be writing to the Welsh Local Government Association asking for their support in our calls for the Assembly Government to address the funding crisis and to secure the future of our children, our schools and colleges and our teachers and lecturers."
Notes:
The delegation included:
Gareth Jones, Schools Modernisation Manager, Powys County Council
Geoff Petty, Head of Finance, Powys County Council
Andy Timpson, Head teacher Crickhowell High School
Jim Toal, Head teacher Welshpool High School
John Hopkins, Head teacher Gwyernyfed High School
Ian Elliot, Head teacher Penmaes Special Education school
Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon and Radnorshire
Mick Bates AM for Montgomeryshire
End/Diwedd
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