OVERSPENDS of close to £1 million were reported at Newport schools last year, with nearly two thirds of city schools going over budget.

A report due to go before Newport City Council cabinet on Wednesday reveals the financial situation across the city’s 61 schools as of March 31 this year.

Secondary schools had overspent by £934,536, with overspends reported at eight out of nine schools and two reporting budget deficits.

Lliswerry High School was £255,561 in the red as of March 31, with Caerleon Comprehensive £109,030 in deficit.

More than half – 27 – of Newport’s 48 primary schools also reported an overspend position, collectively going £153,000 over budget.

Three primary schools – Duffryn Primary, Malpas Church in Wales and Milton Primary – reported nil balances as of March 31.

Both local authority nurseries, Fairoak Nursery School and Kimberley Nursery, reported a combined £16,000 overspend.

There was a £129,000 underspend at Newport’s two special schools, but Maes Ebbw School reported a £13,993 deficit as of March 31.

A report, due to go before Newport City Council cabinet today (May 23), says: “Balances are in credit across sectors.

“However, the position at individual school level is challenging with 13 per cent of primary schools and 22 per cent of secondaries with nil or deficit balances.

“Another similar year will see this position worsen.”

Schools are due to report their budgets for the 2018/19 academic year to Newport City Council by the end of the month.

The report on the council’s revenue budget outturn predicts that it is “highly likely” that several schools will apply for licensed deficits in the coming year.

Elsewhere Newport City Council reported overspends of £914,000 in its education, £1.9 million overspend in children and family services and £587,000 in unachieved budget savings.

Despite this the council reported a £1.29 million underspend in its revenue budget, with the authority ‘unexpectedly’ receiving £977,000 in Welsh Government grants.

Such financial aid allowed the authority to cope with ‘social care pressures’ and cut its bad debt provision by around £300,000.

“Under difficult circumstances, the council has managed its revenue budget well,” the report says.

“The council has actually significantly overspent on some key budget areas, mainly demand led social care and special education needs (SEN) but these have been mitigated by better collection of council tax, lower demand for council tax reduction and use of the revenue budget contingency.”

Cabinet members will meet to discuss the figures, and decide on how to use the £1.29 million in unspent money.