School Funding in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education – in the Senedd at 2:13 pm on 25 April 2018.

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Photo of Dawn Bowden Dawn Bowden Labour 2:13, 25 April 2018

Indeed, and I know that the Welsh Government has a long-standing commitment to school funding, in spite of the UK Government's continued austerity programme, and this year's local government settlement, as you've already outlined, has reflected this. However, we also know that local authorities have successfully argued for education funding not to be ring-fenced, and I appreciate that much of that funding now is used for their school budgets. It is a matter entirely for them. Nevertheless, I was concerned to see that Merthyr Tydfil council, despite what you have said, has effectively cut their school budget, with schools being advised that they must make savings of some £400,000 in this financial year, with more to follow. Now, given that Merthyr Tydfil's education service was only brought out of special measures in 2016, can you assure me that you're closely monitoring the needs of schools in Merthyr Tydfil so that we do not allow that situation to slip backwards again?