Wrexham Council is facing significant challenges regarding its education budget, with concerns raised about the potential impact of redundancy costs on schools already under financial strain. During a recent session of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee, head teachers and governors provided direct evidence regarding the precarious financial situation in local schools. The committee meeting was marked by stark warnings that a financial crisis is imminent if measures are not taken.
Cllr Carrie Harper, chair of the committee, opened the session by criticizing comments made by council leadership. She stated, “There is only a crisis if the schools make it into a crisis,” which she argued downplayed the severity of the situation. Harper highlighted that 31 schools are projected to enter a licensed deficit, a situation she described as a clear crisis. “We’ve already lost 100 school staff locally,” she noted, expressing concern that this number could rise further.
The committee heard from Chris Wilkinson, head teacher of St Joseph’s School, who echoed Harper’s concerns. He pointed out that insufficient funding has persisted for nearly a decade, forcing schools to make difficult staffing decisions. Wilkinson explained that the majority of school budgets are consumed by staffing costs, which leaves little room for other expenses. “The only way to balance a budget is to remove staff from schools,” he said, which only exacerbates the financial challenges.
In response, Cllr Phil Wynn, the Lead Member for Education, acknowledged the difficulties faced by schools but emphasized that Wrexham’s situation is not unique compared to other local authorities in Wales. “We have been talking about this cliff edge that we’re all heading towards,” he remarked, illustrating the ongoing financial pressures faced by educational institutions. Wynn underscored the need for increased funding to support schools effectively.
Demographic changes were also a topic of discussion, with Wynn noting that fewer children entering schools might allow for some reallocation of funds. He stated, “As there’s fewer children coming through in reception, it does give us an opportunity to redirect some of that money back into the school formula.”
Head teacher Simon Ellis of Ysgol Clywedog supported the need for financial transparency and the importance of addressing redundancy costs. He warned that without adequate funding for redundancy, schools could enter a negative cycle of debt, further complicating their financial situations. “You have to cut harder and further than you ought to in order to pay for the redundancy cost,” Ellis explained.
Concerns were raised about specific schools, particularly Darland School and The Maelor School, which face projected closing balances of -£1,183,812 and -£764,903 respectively. Cllr Robert Ian Williams pressed for clarity on what had gone wrong financially at these institutions. Wynn responded that addressing these issues will take time but assured the committee that they are closely monitoring the situation.
The discussion extended to concerns about supply teaching, with Ellis highlighting a significant reduction in reliance on external agencies. “In the last two years, we have reduced supply by about 80%,” he stated, noting the benefits of employing internal cover supervisors who are familiar with school routines.
Parent governor Sam Regan expressed frustration with the lack of detailed information in the council’s reports, arguing that schools are struggling to meet the practical needs of children, particularly regarding Additional Learning Needs (ALN). He emphasized that budget constraints are negatively impacting staff morale and student support services.
The issue of redundancy costs was revisited, with assurances from the council that there is a ‘redundancy pot’ to help cover these expenses. However, the Education Officer acknowledged concerns about inconsistent communication regarding funding commitments. Cllr Anthony Wedlake supported calls for clarity, recounting meetings where schools were assured that redundancy costs would be fully covered.
As the meeting concluded, the committee recognized the need for improved communication regarding budget matters and redundancy costs. They also called for a more detailed examination of the financial situation in closed sessions, emphasizing the importance of transparency and collaboration between the council and schools.
The ongoing dialogue reflects a critical juncture for Wrexham’s education system as it grapples with financial challenges that threaten the quality of education for local children. The committee’s commitment to addressing these issues signals a proactive approach to securing the future of education in the region.
