CUTS to the education service back office of £2 million, could mean that work modernising Powys schools will be hampered.

Due to the cuts, the service will not have the “capacity” to carry out the work such as schools statutory closure processes.

This could see schools identified for closure due to size or running costs, continue to operate as other options are limited.

The information was revealed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, March 26, as education portfolio holder, Cllr Myfanwy Alexander (Independent – Banwy) had her £2 million for the major improvement plan for schools rubber-stamped.

“My service made £2 million of cuts in the back office, we don’t have the capacity to necessarily close every small school that we might consider closing.

“We find ourselves between a rock and hard place having to spend some capital on a school which in five years time may not be open.”

She added that short term investments in school sites might have to be made.

Cllr Peter Roberts, chairman of the learning and skills scrutiny committee, responded to her comments: “I’m concerned with what’s been said about the cuts to the back office.

“And that it means that decisions that need to be taken, may not be taken due to a lack of capacity.

“That’s something we may seek clarity on that in scrutiny, but it’s a new and serious concern.”

Cllr Roberts went on to add that the maintenance work which will take place in schools that may not have a long term future, led him to believe that a comprehensive review of school sites and locations needs to be done as part of three to five year future work plan.

On the major improvement programme Cllr Alexander said “We have the most ambitious schools modernisation programmes in Wales, but the fact that we are building new schools does not mean that we have forgotten the others.

“The sum of money to be spent on school improvement is expected to halve next year as the reason for that is much of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) work has already been completed.

“You will see in this set of projects there’s still some DDA work to be done.

“It will also allow us to give education in the most cost effective way to some of our most vulnerable learners.

The £2 million for primary and secondary school work includes improving disabled access, security work, improved sports facilities and classroom improvements to support the 21st century schools programme in the 2019/20 financial year.

The decision had been pulled from a previous cabinet meeting as the money is part of next year’s budget which was only approved at a second vote.

The planned works will include:

£400,000 for major improvements at Ysgol Calon Cymru, Builth Wells, for improve disabled access, toilet refurbishment and lift repairs.

£70,000 for Newtown’s Penygloddfa Primary School is earmarked for more for a new boundary wall and roof repairs.

£150,000, for boiler, security work and disability improvement work at Llanfyllin High School.

£75,000 window improvement work worth at Ysgol Bro Cynllaith, Llansilin.

£25,000 for Welshpool High School to improve the school’s all weather pitch.

£80,000 for Rhayader Primary School on health and safety improvements.

More than £400,000 will be invested in a number of schools around the county to improve energy efficiency.