Northumberland’s schools face a budget shortfall of £3.7 million, leaving officials concerned about funding for essential programs and services.
Northumberland: Councillors are sounding the alarm about school funding. They’ve found out that the money coming from the Government is way less than they expected.
This year, the council is set to get £341.4 million for schools, which is an increase from last year. But here’s the kicker: they still need to cut £3.7 million from their budget.
At a recent council meeting, Coun Guy Renner Thompson shared the disappointing news. He mentioned that the funding is about £3.7 million short of what they had hoped for. They still need to chat with the Northumberland Schools Forum about it.
He added that this shortfall means they won’t be able to pursue some of the ambitious plans they had in mind. It’s a tough pill to swallow for everyone involved.
Council leader Glen Sanderson didn’t hold back either. He criticized the Government for not providing enough funds, claiming they’re about £2.5 million short of what was promised, despite the Government saying they increased funding overall.
There’s also a growing concern about kids with additional needs. The number of children needing special education plans has skyrocketed from 1,679 in 2017 to 3,369 in 2023. That’s a huge jump!
Sanderson expressed his disappointment, especially since they haven’t received enough funding to support these students. It’s a real struggle for the council.
A Government source responded, saying the previous Conservative government left a mess in the SEND system. They promised that the current Labour government is committed to fixing it, starting with a £1 billion investment.
In the meantime, Northumberland residents can stay updated by joining the local WhatsApp community for news straight to their phones. It’s a great way to keep in the loop!
