Neath Port Talbot schools may face a £7M deficit. Funding issues concern councilors, causing worry about potential cuts.
Councillor Rob Jones said school funding matters a lot. He called the deficit a “ticking time bomb.” Nineteen primary schools have deficits. Two secondary and two middle schools do too.
Last year, the deficit was £180,000. This year, it may reach £7 million.
Councillor Sonia Reynolds is very concerned. She fears cuts to staff could hurt students. She mentioned a rejected school plan from 2023. The plan would have merged three schools. She thinks this rejection cost money.
Councillor Rebeca Phillips said people rejected the new school plan. They did not want it in their community. Councillor Nia Jenkins said £7m is just a prediction. She stated schools are working to fix the deficits. They work with the council.
Councillor Jenkins explained the deficits’ origins. They include past safety problems. Teacher pay raises also caused problems. The Welsh Government did not fully fund them. The council discussed schools while setting the budget.
Council tax will increase by 7%. The total budget is £405 million. Education gets £121 million for lifelong learning. Social services get £127 million. Corporate services receive £18 million.
A council spokesperson discussed the investments. Money will educate 22,000 young people. It will help with absenteeism and special needs. Most specialist programs have no space. Secondary schools badly needed more funds. The new budget addresses this.