That the Director of Children and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services make representations to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling for them to:

·         Reverse, in full, the real-terms cuts to per-pupil school budgets since 2015 – meaning schools in Torbay would receive much needed additional funding in 2020.

·         Provide additional funding to Torbay and others across the country to give urgently needed and adequate funding support to children with special educational needs and disabilities.

·         Guarantee all teachers a pay rise which is at least in line with inflation next year, in order to reduce the number of talented teachers leaving the profession.

To respond to the motion on fair funding for schools in order to secure better education for Children in Torbay.

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This decision will come into force and may be implemented on Monday, 5 August 2019 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

Members considered a motion in relation to fair funding for schools, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A14.

Councillor Law proposed and Councillor Long seconded a motion, as set out below which was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet:

This Council:

Is deeply concerned by the financial outlook for schools in Torbay due to a combination of inadequate government funding and increasing cost pressures.

Believes that the Conservative Government’s failure to properly fund schools is jeopardising the education and future opportunities of young people in Torbay and is particularly letting down more vulnerable children, such as those with special educational needs and disabilities and those who need mental health support.

Notes with concern reports that many schools across the country are having to ask for donations from parents, cutting back teaching hours, reducing staff numbers, reducing mental health support and reducing mentoring for vulnerable pupils.

Further notes that years of real-terms pay cuts for teachers, coupled with the pressure caused by funding cuts in schools and excessive workload, have led to a crisis in retention and recruitment in the teaching profession. This is driving thousands of dedicated professionals out of the jobs they love, and further undermining the quality of education in our schools.

Will make representations to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling for them to:

Reverse, in full, the real-terms cuts to per-pupil school budgets since 2015 – meaning schools in Torbay would receive much needed additional funding in 2020.

Provide additional funding to Torbay and others across the country to give urgently needed and adequate funding support to children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Guarantee all teachers a pay rise which is at least in line with inflation next year, in order to reduce the number of talented teachers leaving the profession.

The Cabinet also supported the need to include in the letter specific reference to the schools’ formula for coastal communities being different to rural issues.

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