Mick Bates urges First Minister to adopt 3 year budgets for schools (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Mick Bates urges First Minister to adopt 3 year budgets for schools

April 1, 2009 12:00 AM

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has urged the First Minister in the Chamber to adopt three year budgets for schools and FE colleges to give them stability in funding to plan ahead, as education providers continue to face shortfalls and cuts in funding from the Welsh Government.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Mick stated:

"The recent dilemma that our schools and FE colleges are facing in meeting ever growing demands and pressures against a backdrop of reduced funding is unacceptable. The short notice of budget cuts has left our education providers across Powys reeling as most had already planned their budgets for the year ahead which they now cannot meet."

On March 27th Mick and Kirsty Williams AM met with Headteachers from Montgomeryshire as part of a visit by Kirsty to the constituency.

Speaking after the meeting Mick adds:

"It is appalling that Headteachers are unsure of their future budgets from one day to the next with the Welsh Government top slicing budgets to create new initiatives. Headteachers need stability rather than a constantly changing financial platform, so that schools and FE providers can plan their curriculum and finances on a stable long term basis.

"Tony Blair's Westminster Government committed to a move to three-year school budgets which would provide this stability to schools and FE colleges. It is far better that Headteachers know what they are getting than face cuts year on year.

"I have urged the First Minister in the Chamber to seriously consider this move, which would give education providers across Wales the reassurance and opportunity to plan more effectively than they can under the present system."