Schools in Neath Port Talbot are facing a financial crisis, with a potential deficit of around £7 million, according to local councillors. This worrying issue was discussed during a recent council budget meeting held on March 5, as the local authority finalised its revenue and capital budgets for the upcoming 2025-26 financial year.
Councillor Rob Jones of Margam and Taibach highlighted the critical importance of how schools are funded, labelling the current situation as a “ticking time bomb” due to the deficits some schools are experiencing. Out of the 63 schools in the county borough, 19 primary schools, two secondary schools, and two middle schools are currently in deficit, with last year’s deficit standing at £180,000 and expected to rise to £7 million this year.
Echoing concerns, Councillor Sonia Reynolds of Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen and Lower Brynaman emphasized the real threats to pupils and potential staff cuts resulting from the financial shortfall. She noted that the rejection of plans for a new Swansea Valley school in 2023, aimed at merging three local schools, had contributed to the loss of funds in the education service.
However, Councillor Rebeca Phillips, chair of the education scrutiny committee in Neath Port Talbot, clarified that the plans for the new school were turned down due to community opposition. Councillor Nia Jenkins addressed the predicted £7 million deficit, reassuring that schools with deficits were actively working on recovery programmes in collaboration with the local authority. She attributed the deficits to various factors seen across all authorities in Wales, including historical safeguarding issues and insufficient funding to cover teachers’ pay rises.
The discussions around schools’ financial challenges were part of the borough’s budget setting process for the 2025-26 financial year, which includes a 7% increase in council tax for residents. The total budget of £405 million will allocate £121 million to education and lifelong learning, £127 million to social services, housing, and community safety, and £18 million to corporate services.
Investment in education will cater to approximately 22,000 children and young people, addressing issues like persistent absenteeism and the provision of specialist services for those with complex needs. Secondary schools in Neath Port Talbot, historically underfunded compared to the rest of Wales, will benefit from the proposed budget adjustments to rectify the imbalance.
This funding boost aims to provide equitable access to education and support for all pupils in need, ensuring that specialist provisions meet the demands. The council’s commitment to tackling the financial challenges faced by schools reflects a broader effort to enhance educational opportunities and outcomes for students across the borough.
As Neath Port Talbot grapples with these financial pressures in its education sector, the community is looking towards sustainable solutions to safeguard the quality of education for current and future generations. It remains a shared responsibility to address the funding gaps and support schools in overcoming financial hurdles to provide a conducive learning environment for all students.