Following a public meeting held last Tuesday, the Children and Young People Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel has voted to dismiss a Call-in by Labour and Lib-Dem Councillors, which challenged the introduction of a new funding formula to local schools.

Whilst opposition Councillors claimed that the formula would mean that some schools, particularly those from the most deprived areas, would lose out, Paul May, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, has maintained that it would address ‘historical anomalies’ in the way schools are funded, and that no school would lose out under the new formula.

The ten Councillors who asked for the formal call-in said that insufficient consideration had been given to alternative options beyond the National Funding Formula and the Local Funding Formula. The National option was proposed (and will now go ahead), which will see all schools receive an 0.5% increase per pupil as a minimum.

The panel received a range of written and verbal evidence, interviewed Cllr May, Senior Council officers, and a representative, Cllr Tim Ball, of those who had asked for the call-in. They also heard from Headteachers from local schools, including the Headteacher who chairs the Schools Forum, which recommended this option to the Cabinet member.

Having considered the evidence, the panel voted to dismiss the Call-in and allow the decision to be implemented as set out. Cllr Alison Millar, the panel Chair, said: “Whilst some members of the panel were disappointed that the Call-in was dismissed, the majority view of the panel was that the Cabinet Member’s decision needs to be implemented.”

This means that the original decision made by Cllr Paul May can take place with immediate effect.

Councillor Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton), who led the challenge at the Call-in meeting, commented: “By bringing in the new funding formula now, the Conservatives are ensuring that schools in the most deprived areas of B&NES miss out on thousands of pounds of vital funding. Even if the new system becomes mandatory in 2020, that extra money over the next two years could have made a big difference.

“Schools are facing a funding crisis, due to the Government funding squeeze, which compounds the problems of rising costs, population growth and new responsibilities. At the end of the day, inflation means that even the small cash increase most schools will receive under the new formula is a real terms cut.

“Our local area has one of the most extreme gaps between the haves and the have-nots. Proper funding for education is vital to set our children on the right path for the future and ensure they can make a success of their lives.”