Climbdown by council in schools funding row

COUNCIL has withdrawn official warning notices to overspent schools after the threat of legal action.

- ABBIE WIGHTWICK Education editor

Headteachers and governors said they were “hugely relieved” by the climbdown after meetings between the Vale of Glamorgan Council and union officials.

The National Association of Headteachers Cymru said it was considering legal action after warning notices, usually issued for poor inspection findings and not finances, were handed to seven headteachers of schools in deficit.

It is understood that the headteachers will still appear before local authority panels to explain their overspends. But the meetings will now take place with union support as an opportunity to put forward details of the impact of making cuts.

Schools in the Vale ended the 2024-25 financial year with a combined £4.2m net deficit and further deficits are forecast in 2025-26.

Announcing that warning notices were to be withdrawn the council and NAHT Cymru said in a joint statement: “On the basis that there has been good progress made by a number of schools on their deficit recovery plans, the council has confirmed that it will withdraw the warning notices against these schools.

“A joint protocol will be agreed between the NAHT and the local authority to ensure that, if the need arises in the future, there is a commitment by both parties to work in partnership in what is a challenging financial environment.