Stockport Councillors have voted unanimously to write to Government demanding fairer funding for Stockport’s Schools. During the Council meeting of 31st March, the Council voted on a Motion on Schools Funding, put forward by Labour Councillor and Executive Member for Education, Cllr Dean Fitzpatrick.
The motion resolves the Council to write to Government asking for a comprehensive, transparent review of education funding (from ages 0-19); that Schools budgets keep in line with inflation; and that national policies such as the living wage and apprenticeships levy are funded from national coffers so that children’s education is not negatively impacted.
All political groups in the chamber supported the motion, cheered on by support from the gallery including representatives and teachers from Stockport Schools.
Commenting, Stockport’s Executive Member for Education, Cllr Dean Fitzpatrick said:
“I am pleased to see the Council Chamber united over such an important issue.
“Our children are our future and it is essential the level of resources provided for their education is both sufficient and fairly distributed.
“This motion calls on Government to revisit the level of education funding, so that our schools can deliver quality education for our young people, and no child gets left behind.
“What we are faced with in Stockport is an historic legacy of low education funding levels which has persisted across Governments of all stripes.
“In essence, all the Council is asking is that the Government ensure the National Funding Formula delivers adequate and fair funding for our children’s education in Stockport.“
ENDS
Editor Notes:
• See attached photos caption to read ‘Education funding campaigners join Stockport’s Executive Member for Education Dean Fitzpatrick, and Deputy Council Leader Cllr Wendy Wild on the Town Hall steps ahead of the Council meeting’.
• The Full text of the motion is available here Item 6 [i].
• The webcast of the Full Council meeting is available here skip to item 6(a) or 1.57.00 for discussion of motion.