MONMOUTHSHIRE council is reviewing the funding for the second phase of the 21st century schools programme which includes Chepstow School as they cannot fund half the money needed.

The secondary phase of the programme includes Chepstow School and King Henry VIII secondary schools which were meant to be funded 50/50 by the Welsh Government and the council. The council have said this funding stream might not be possible for the two schools.

A risk assessment report which will go before cabinet today (wed) says the 21st century programme is at medium risk and there is potential that the council would be unable to deliver the programme. The report states that money from the disposal of assets are not generating the required income which was needed to fund the programme.

It says in the event of emergency pressures, resources will have to be diverted due to lack of capacity in the capital budget. It highlights the highways and property surveys which would demand ‘significant capital’ from the budget which has yet to be allocated funding.

The council had agreed to use £29 million from capital receipts for the 21st century school programme during the next four years of the medium term financial plan and a further £600,000 in 2018-19.

The report states that the balance of capital receipts available has been reduced compared to the original 2014/18 MTFP predictions due to the anticipated resourcing of the 21st Century schools programme.

Councillor Liz Hacket Pain, cabinet member for schools and learning said: “Early this year the funding programme for the 21st Century Schools Programme - Band B was officially announced by the Welsh Government and will run from 2018 – 2023. The developments of Chepstow and King Henry VIII secondary schools are the cornerstones of the council’s second phase of our all schools strategy.

“The funding arrangements are currently being reviewed by Welsh Government as the 50/50 funding profile adopted for Band A may not be appropriate for the next phase of the schools programme and the ever increasing budget challenges that local authorities face. We are actively engaging with the government’s 21st Century Schools team to ensure we are in the best position when this next phase commences.”

The first phase of the project has been allocated funding which includes a £36.9 million investment for Monmouth schools. This will see a new school built for Monmouth Comprehensive and renovation works for their eight feeder primary schools.

The Caldicot school project will receive £34.9 million in investment which includes £31 million for Caldicot Secondary School which currently has 1500 pupils and £3.9 million refurbishment for the eight feeder primary schools

The Welsh Government has match funded £40 million for the first phase of the programme. The programme includes a £31 million new secondary school for Caldicot and a £36.9 million secondary school in Monmouth.

The programme also includes the £4.7 million for Raglan Primary School and £5 million towards the building of a Welsh Medium secondary school in Newport.