TWEAKS to the school funding formula which was only implemented in April  have been approved by Powys County Council’s (PCC) Cabinet.

At their meeting on, Tuesday, December 17, cabinet approved the changes.

In September the Formula Review Group (FRG) made up of headteachers and governors was re-formed to look again at the formula.

The main conclusion was that there is a bias in the formula towards small

primary schools at the expense of secondary schools.

They came up with three main proposals:

  • Creation of a Teacher Learning Responsibility (TLR) Allowance – could cost an extra £1.4 million which is not budgeted for
  • Recognition of pupil movement during the year for secondary and primary schools.
  • Post 16 Grant Funding allocations.

Education portfolio holder Cllr Phyl Davies (Conservative – Blaen Hafren) said: “The review highlighted certain issues, they key being the unexpected change of share between primary and secondary schools in favour of primary schools.”

Interim chief education officer, Lynette Lovell, said that in terms of the TLR she knew of schools where the average teacher cost is about £7,000 more than the formula is allowing for.

This was: “causing them some significant concerns.”

Education consultant Geraint Rees said:  “Those that put together the funding formula last year were clear that it would be one to establish a new transparent framework from which to do further development.

“This is a tweak in the process and needs to be seen as part of an ongoing response to the schools situation and part of the improvement journey.”

Finance portfolio holder, Cllr Aled Davies (Conservative, Llanrhaedr-ym-Mochanant and Llansilin), added: “It will be reviewed every year, we need to learn every year and we may need to come back to it.”

Learning and Skills scrutiny committee member, Cllr Peter Roberts (Liberal Democrat – Llandrindod South), said: “Scrutiny broadly welcomes these proposals but have a number of concerns that focus on process rather than practicality.”

Cllr Robers believed that risk assessments should have been made about the proposals.

He thought that the answers to these risks also needed to be assessed, so that they don’t  “impact to service delivery in another area.”

The funding formula when discussed in late 2018 and early 2019 was seen as the answer to all the school funding issues.

Cllr Roberts, continued:  “We were disappointed that this has to come forward as an amendment.

“Because a very significant component of their (teachers) pay and contractual structure was it would appear, missed in the original process.

“There have been consequences and staff changes this year as a result of that. ”

Mr Reees explained that  the lack of risk assessment was down to staff having to work on other issues.

In November the education service, met with Estyn inspectors, to discuss their Post Inspection Action Plan (PIAP).

They had to produce the PIAP  and explain how the education service was going to improve.

This followed a critical inspection of the education service which was published in September.