EVERY state secondary school in East Yorkshire will be in debt within two years, a leaked council report has warned.
A document published by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and due to be considered by the cabinet on January 31, was posted online by Pocklington councillor Andy Strangeway.
It contains information from the draft revenue budget for 2017/18 and financial plan 2017/18 to 2020/21, which Cllr Strangeway says all councillors received last month.
The report says that, due to financial pressures, 34 out of 116 primary schools and nine out of 11 secondary schools in the East Riding could be in debt by an estimated total of £2,832,000 by the end of 2017/18, and that all 11 secondary schools are forecasting to be in debt by the end of 2018/19.
Cllr Strangeway said: “I am shocked that so many East Riding schools will be in debt. It is a disgrace. This will affect children’s education and the future prospects of the children and the East Riding. Something needs to be done urgently.”
He added: “This is due to national Government cut backs and the failure of Conservative East Riding of Yorkshire Council councillors to use their influence. I am of the opinion that the East Riding would not be one of the lowest funded councils if the council was not Conservative dominated.
“The Conservative councillors must lobby the Conservative MPs a lot more to get a better deal for the East Riding. They should represent the residents first not their party. Things will get worse.
To try to prevent the schools going into debt, Coun Strangeway suggests East Riding of Yorkshire Council could sell their golf courses.
He claims a council officer told him the authority owns Bridlington Links Golf Course, Bridlington Belvedere Golf Course and part owns Flamborough Head Golf Course, all of which are leased out.
“East Riding of Yorkshire Council needs to explore how assets like golf courses can be sold to support the schools. Of course there cannot be a direct transfer of funds from the sale of golf courses fund to schools.”
A council spokesman said: “It appears this information has come from a confidential document which has yet to be considered by members therefore we are not in a position to comment.”
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