Headteachers union mulls “potential legal action” over formal warning notices sent by council to schools with overspends

According to the local authority, seven schools have been issued with formal warning notices as they “have yet to submit a balanced budget or present a credible financial recovery plan”, after receiving informal warning notices.

The school heads have now been summoned to meetings with the local authority to explain their financial plans.

Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Education, Arts and the Welsh language, said: “Schools’ financial pressures have intensified in recent years due to rising costs, increased demand for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) support. Meanwhile, funding has not kept pace with these pressures.

“Schools across Wales are in difficulties as a result, but a group in the Vale are in a worse position than most without a solid strategy to recover.”

She added: “The council has a statutory responsibility to ensure schools operate within a balanced budget and this action is designed to make certain that legal requirement is met.”

In response to the issuing of formal warning notices, the NAHT is considering “potential legal action” over the matter - with headteachers and governors claiming they are being “unfairly blamed” for the financial situation, according to Wales Online.

A spokesperson for NAHT told Local Government Lawyer: “NAHT is actively supporting members and the schools concerned, however given this matter is now subject to statutory process and potential legal action, we are unable to comment further.”

Lottie Winson