Kirsty questions Minister on short changing for special school funding

12.00.00am GMT Thu 25th Feb 2010

Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon and Radnorshire has questioned Finance Minister Jane Hutt as to why Local Authorities in Wales are only being given 95% of their allocation for special school funding in advance in 2009/10, and only 69% in 2010/11.

Prior to the current year the Assembly has funded on an estimated cost basis, with an in year adjustment to reflect the actual projected costs incurred for the provision and has funded the full costs provided by the authority.

Kirsty Williams said: "Powys County Council received notification earlier in the week allocating it funds at a 95% level, which gives the Council a shortfall in funding of nearly £80,000."

It is worse for 2010-11 where the allocation of funds has been set at 69% of the projected actual cost, which results in a projected shortfall of £518,389 in Powys.

"I raised this with the Finance Minister in the Assembly on Wednesday (24th of February) and I have written to the Education Minister Leighton Andrews AM asking that this decision is reviewed immediately. As it stands, our most vulnerable young people are being short changed. It is diabolical to treat students this way.