Stockport Council’s Labour Executive member for Education has welcomed the announcement of £10.3 million in one-off government money to support schools places-  describing the money as ‘welcome’ but a mere ‘consolation’ in the face of declining real terms resources per pupil.

 

The additional money has been announced after council leaders requested a reassessment of need in relation to school places in the Borough, and commissioned officers to look at the numbers and projections of need.

 

The reassessed figures were signed off by the Department of Education in the Autumn, leading to a reassessment of Stockport’s needs in relation to school places. The money can be used to support schools places across all state schools in Stockport.

 

Stockport Council figures show that education funding has seen fully £42 million in reductions in central Government money from education’s three main funding streams alone – modernisation and repairs, Places capital  and schools’ devolved formula capital – since 2010-11. In addition, during this time, demand for school places has continued to grow – and is projected to continue rising according to council figures.

 

Commenting, Labour’s Executive member for Education, Cllr Dean Fitzpatrick said:

 

“I am proud of the work officers have done to demonstrate our education needs, and secure this funding from Government. When we took over at the Council we made it a key part of our manifesto plans to commission a reappraisal of these figures.

 

“This welcome additional money will make a significant difference, serving as the basis for a fresh programme of school place creation.

 

“However, this is a mere consolation in the face of the cuts we have seen over the last seven years – at a time where pupil numbers continued to rise. This means funding per pupil has shrunk in real terms and will continue to do so in the long-term despite this announcement.”

 

“The Stockport Labour Group will continue to argue Stockport’s case to Government. While this additional funding will be put to good use, we will continue to lobby for an end to the cuts agenda in education which is so damaging to so many young lives.”