Review of Mid Wales education funding as 34 schools facing deficits of £2.4 million

The council is to look at the support that is gives to primary and secondary schools and also the funding formula it has for education.

At Tuesday's Powys County Council cabinet meeting, Councillor Myfanwy Alexander said the number of schools facing a deficit budget was worrying.

"We must both challenge and support schools over their budgets and find out what are the crucial factors involved in those with deficit budgets.

"We must ensure the schools are managed correctly and have the correct support from the council.

"We must also ensure we have a fair funding formula."

Councillor Alexander said two factors had already been identified.

"We top slice from school budgets for school transport and for those pupils with special educational needs who do not go into mainstream schools. We need to look at that special education."

Councillors were told that the Audit and Scrutiny committees of Powys County Council are to review the financial viability of schools with a joint working group holding its first meeting next week.

A report has recently been carried out by the Wales Audit Office into Education Finance in Powys. This has highlighted that the Council faces significant challenges to deliver an affordable and sustainable education service and halt the projected substantial decline in schools’ financial health.