Education budget discussed at council

CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council’s education budget has been discussed by councillors at Full Council.

Debate included a notice of motion and questions by councillors to the executive board member for education, Cllr Glynog Davies.

Councillors of all parties agreed that ‘full and proper evaluation of the impact and potential outcomes to such cuts’ should be made before the next education budget is set, along with a call for consultation to take place with all schools – the feedback from which should be presented to Welsh Government prior to the 2018/19 council budget meeting.

Reflecting on a meeting he had attended with fellow education professionals and council representatives from across Wales, Cllr Davies said that cuts were being felt by many councils and that representations were being made to the Welsh Government.

Deputy leader of the opposition group, Cllr Rob James, questioned the executive board about a reduction of teachers and teaching staff.

Cllr Davies clarified that staffing within schools is a matter for governing bodies, however the council was assisting schools to manage savings in other areas, such as maintenance.

Cllr James also asked for an update on surplus school places.

Cllr Davies said that whilst this was not unique to Carmarthenshire, removing surplus places is something the council is aiming to address via its Modernising Education Programme, citing examples where two, or more, schools have been merged into one to remove the financial burden of spare places.

·         To watch the full debate and access the agenda documents about this discussion at Full Council, visit the council and democracy section of the council’s website – www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales