Education Motion
This Council notes the concerns regarding education funding expressed by the Devon Association of Secondary Heads and the Devon Association of Primary Heads. In an unusual letter to County Councillors, Heads from Local Authority schools and academies across Devon have expressed “serious concerns about escalating funding pressures” and describe the situation as “a real crisis in point in the immediate future”.
This Council further notes that the cumulative impact of the “National Funding Formula” and an 8% real terms cut by 2020 means, on average, each Exeter student faces a cut of £420 in annual funding comparing 2015/16 with 2019/20.
This Council notes that the stated aim of the proposed National Funding Formula was to bring fair funding to schools in Devon, bringing funding closer to the national average (Devon currently receives £290 per pupil less). The proposed increase by 2019/20 would increase overall funding for the County by just 0.38%.
This Council notes the further impact of the £2.22 million transfer in the Designated Schools Budget to the High Needs Block to cover a deficit in the budget for children with special educational needs and disabilities which will result in a further reduction in funding of £33 per pupil in every Devon School.
This Council believes that Exeter pupils, and pupils across Devon, deserve better: a fully funded and properly resourced education system.
This Council resolves to write to Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Education, and Nick Gibb, Schools Minister (as requested by the Devon Association of Primary Heads and the Devon Association of Secondary Heads) expressing our concerns regarding the serious funding situation facing Devon schools and academies. Furthermore, this Council demands that the National Funding Formula is revised so that Devon schools no longer fall below the national average, and that central government funding is provided to erase the 8% real terms cut.
Minutes:
Councillor Packham, seconded by Councillor Foale, moved a Notice of Motion in the following terms:-
Education Motion
This Council notes the concerns regarding education funding expressed by the Devon Association of Secondary Heads and the Devon Association of Primary Heads. In an unusual letter to County Councillors, Heads from Local Authority schools and academies across Devon have expressed “serious concerns about escalating funding pressures” and describe the situation as “a real crisis in point in the immediate future”.
This Council further notes that the cumulative impact of the “National Funding Formula” and an 8% real terms cut by 2020 means, on average, each Exeter student faces a cut of £420 in annual funding comparing 2015/16 with 2019/20.
This Council notes that the stated aim of the proposed National Funding Formula was to bring fair funding to schools in Devon, bringing funding closer to the national average (Devon currently receives £290 per pupil less). The proposed increase by 2019/20 would increase overall funding for the County by just 0.38%.
This Council notes the further impact of the £2.22 million transfer in the Designated Schools Budget to the High Needs Block to cover a deficit in the budget for children with special educational needs and disabilities which will result in a further reduction in funding of £33 per pupil in every Devon School.
This Council believes that Exeter pupils, and pupils across Devon, deserve better: a fully funded and properly resourced education system.
This Council resolves to write to Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Education, and Nick Gibb, Schools Minister (as requested by the Devon Association of Primary Heads and the Devon Association of Secondary Heads) expressing our concerns regarding the serious funding situation facing Devon schools and academies. Furthermore, this Council demands that the National Funding Formula is revised so that Devon schools no longer fall below the national average, and that central government funding is provided to erase the 8% real terms cut.
In presenting the Notice of Motion, Councillor Packham reported that schools across the country were already being forced to make impossible decisions with increased class sizes, curriculum choices being cut, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) pupils losing vital support and school staff losing their jobs. She highlighted the issue with reference to Montgomery Primary in her ward of St Thomas where the cuts equated to 14% or £548 per pupil together with the £33 cut per pupil to cover the transfer to the Devon High Needs Block.
Councillor Foale, in seconding the motion, stated that his research amongst former teaching colleagues had confirmed that 99% of schools would suffer cuts and that cuts in primary schools approximated £103,000 on average and £470,000 in secondary schools.
Councillor Leadbetter supported the motion and confirmed that Devon County Council was also lobbying the Government on this matter
Councillor Packham, in response, thanked all Members for their support, stating that the Government would be asked to review the national funding formula and to reverse the 8% real term cuts to education funding.
The Notice of Motion was put to the vote and carried.
In accordance with Standing Order 27(1), a named vote on the Motion was called for, as follows:-
Voting for:
Councillors Ashwood, Baldwin, Bialyk, Brimble, Denham, Edwards, Foale, Foggin, Gottschalk, Hannaford, Hannan, Harvey, D Henson, Mrs Henson, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Leadbetter, Lyons, Mitchell, Morse, Newby, Owen, Packham, Pearson, Prowse, Robson, Sheldon, Sills, Spackman, Sutton, Vizard, Wardle and Warwick
(32 Members)
Abstain:
The Lord Mayor
(1 Member)
Absent:
Councillors Branston, Keen, Lamb, Musgrave and Wood.
(5 Members)