RICHMOND'S education chiefs have blasted government moves to contain the school funding crisis, as 'panic measures', demanding they do more.

It follows a meeting between local education authority heads and Education Minister Charles Clarke, who told them that to deal with this year's funding problems, heads can spend the money set aside for building and repairs.

Richmond Council's cabinet member for schools, Cllr Geoffrey Samuel says this will simply store up problems for the future and the government should act now.

Yet, opposition councillors state that if the government fails to act, the council must step in and supply the extra funds.

Increased staff salaries, a mandatory rise in payments to teachers' pension schemes and the government's introduction of higher National Insurance contributions have left many schools short of cash for the next academic year.

Mr Clarke had previously blamed the crisis on local councils holding back cash meant for schools, but was forced to think again last week.

Cllr Samuel described Mr Clarke's move as "A somewhat inelegant climb down by the government".

He said: "Local councils from across the country have produced figures showing that they have provided £185 million more than the government expected. This shows any crisis in funding is entirely the fault of the government."

And he did not think using capital funds was the answer, he said: "In my view schools of all kinds need regular maintenance to keep maintenance level up. If the government were to abolish that for a year, it would be storing up problems. It is a panic measure."

He continued: "In Richmond where we have recently had to top up government funding for schools out of general funds this proves our point: government has seriously underfunded education and must take full responsibility for any shortfall.

"The government is promising additional funding next year. This is not good enough, we need the extra money now."

Chair of governors at Orleans Infant School, Trevor Whittall believes that to ensure schools do not lose out, £20,000 more per primary and £100,000 more per secondary, a total 1.5 million, was needed. He said: "The situation at Orleans would be manageable with an increase of £15,000.

"I agree with Cllr Samuel. The government should act now. I hope that he urges the council to act to bridge the gap if the government will not."

Cllr Serge Lourie, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "I know that the Minister for Education has called in the Conservative leadership for an urgent meeting about the funding fiasco for schools.

"Clearly the Labour government has failed to provide sufficient funding for schools, but this is not the whole story. Richmond upon Thames Council is building up reserves to £18 million and part of this could be released to the schools.

"We will be pressing the leadership to increase funding and would also be happy to join them in putting pressure on the government.

"Children are suffering because no one in government or the council worked out that when you change pay scales, increase pension contributions and increase National Insurance you need to increase the budget even to stand still.

"Cllr Bob King and I are meeting representatives of the administration to discuss schools and I shall be raising this as a matter of urgency. I am keen that we should try and rebuild the bipartisan approach that lasted thirty years under Tory and Liberal Democrat councils and has broken down this year."

May 30, 2003 10:30