Underfunding of schools an '˜embarrassment' for Tories
Labour’s Michael Jones called on the Tory administration to set up a £1m emergency fund for schools forced to make staffing cuts, to put greater pressure on the Government to ensure West Sussex schools have the funding they need, and asked all councillors to support the Worth Less campaign in calling for ministers to bring forward transitional relief.
However a Tory amendment approved at last month’s Full Council meeting instead asked the cabinet to continue putting pressure to make the case for funding for West Sussex schools, and called on every member to continue to support the Worth Less campaign for the rapid introduction of a fair national funding formula.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMr Jones (Lab, Southgate and Crawley Central) explained how the current level of funding was ‘whittling away our schools’ ability to operate’, and even with the new national funding formula, West Sussex would remain funded 148th out of 151 authorities.
He added: “The lack of funding is already having a direct effect on our pupils.”
But Michael Cloake (Con, Worthing Pier) explained how West Sussex’s Tory MPs had been working for a fairer funding and felt teachers ‘deserve a vote of thanks rather than playing politics right now’.
He called for the issue to be ‘lifted above party politics’ and highlighted the extra £1m to grant maintained schools for counselling, announced by the county council in February.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut James Walsh (LDem, Littlehampton East), leader of the Lib Dem group, called educational underfunding a ‘continuing embarrassment for the Conservatives both here and nationally’.
Although exam results were good, he suggested ‘they are actually lower than they should be in a county such as ours’.
Louise Goldsmith (Con, Chichester West), leader of the county council, explained that 83 percent of West Sussex children were in good or outstanding schools, but they did need the council’s support as they are working in ‘tough financial times’.
She acknowledged a case for the current funding formula being ‘ripped up’ and replaced with one that recognised the base cost of how much it took to run a school ‘whether it is in Bognor Regis, Tyne and Wear or Birmingham’.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Tory amendment was carried by 37 votes to 13 with eight abstentions, while the substantive motion was then agreed by 45 votes to six with six abstentions.
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1) Make our website your homepage
2) Like our Facebook page
3) Follow us on Twitter
4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
Always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.