£52 extra council tax charge if Powys education changes not passed

Council taxpayers would be forced to pay an extra £52 per year if plans to shake-up secondary education in Powys are scrapped, it was revealed today.

Campaigners have called for the plans, which could see some sixth forms closed and others merged, to be axed claiming they would not be viable and would not improve standards in education.

But Powys County Council said the status quo could not be maintained due to cuts in funding from the Welsh Assembly.

Gareth Jones, senior manager for the county council, said: "If people want to have the option of keeping schools as they are then savings will need to be made elsewhere, possibly from council tax.

"It would mean that council tax for an average Band D property will be an extra £52 a year."

The council is holding consultation meetings at 13 secondary schools and Coleg Powys campuses across the county up until May.

Controversial plans to radically transform secondary education in Powys have already been approved by councillors.

Management could also be streamlined and schools merged after the council's ruling board backed the big shake-up earlier this year.

Although the overall plans have been approved, a decision has not yet been made on exactly what will be affected by the changes.

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said the option of keeping schools as they were should be put back on table. He said: "When voting on the future of the schools all 73 councillors need to be given the opportunity to vote on the number of options.

"A lot of campaigners say that the proposed changes won't save that much money and many want to keep the schools as they are because they work well.

"If the status quo is kept then council tax isn't the only option to save the council money, officers could also look at reducing the range of subjects currently offered in schools."

David Jones, council's board member for schools, said: "The future of our secondary and post-16 education is of vital importance. We urge parents, pupils, governors and the public across the county to get involved and have their say."

By Anwen Evans