Letter from Ann Henderson, James Gillespie's High School Council to all councillors representing wards overlapping Catchment area for James Gillespie's High School - 8th Feb 2010.

Dear colleague,

City of Edinburgh Council Budget 2010 - 11

Following on from our recent Parent Council meeting, I have been asked to write to you regarding our continuing concerns over the future funding of education provision in Edinburgh.

Whilst recent communications from the administration councillors suggest that the cut in the Devolved Budgets to schools will be in the region of 1% rather than 2.5%, this still represents a sizeable reduction in each Secondary School budget. We have already been advised by our Head Teacher that any further budget reduction will now impact on staff numbers and resources for the pupils.

We have a particular concern, which remains unanswered. In the presentations to Parent Councils from City Council officials. Reference has been made to changing the way in which the School Librarian service is delivered, including reducing staff hours and moving away from a dedicated service. We would like to argue strongly that the School Librarian service plays a key role in the work of the whole school, and specifically in the national Literacy programme, and it should not be undermined.

Some work in the schools appears to be seen as ‘support’ rather than ‘front-line’ and we are concerned that statements made by elected members do not always appreciate that a successful school and successful learners will need a contribution from every grade of worker, working together.

In looking at the wider budget, parent reps have raised questions about the efficiency of the procurement system, with many schools relating experiences where comparable products can be purchased at a significantly lower price – and reps have urged the local authority to take a much wider overview of the needs of communities, increasing usage of school buildings, and giving thought to the consequences on other aspects of a child’s life if, for instance, additional support needs are not fully met.

Investing in the young people of the future, along with valuing the staff who support them, needs to be given much higher profile in the City of Edinburgh’s budget priorities. We note that the population trends are for an increase in the number of young people living in Edinburgh, and we believe education cuts to be short-sighted.

We hope that the Budget to be agreed on Thursday for Edinburgh will address the issues raised by school communities in recent months, and set out a different approach for the next few years.

Yours sincerely

Ann Henderson Chair JGHS Council

Reply from Councillor Andrew Burns (Labour) 10 Feb 2010

Ann

Many thanks for your e-mail, as below, and earlier attachment.

I can only assure you that I agree totally with your sentiments about the potential damage to the education service if such cuts (as are currently being proposed - even if they are the latest 1% proposals) were to be implemented by the current administration.

Myself and my colleagues in the Labour Group are firmly of the belief that front line services should be protected as much as possible and we are yet to be convinced that these funding cuts are absolutely necessary. The Council's revenue budget allocation from the Scottish Government next year will be £810.885m, an increase of more than £14m (1.76%) from this year.

In the week ahead (the Council's budget will be set on 11 February 2010) the Labour Group will be focussing on putting together alternative budget proposals that recognise the crucial importance of front line services like education and particularly school based budgets while making any savings that must be made from the bureaucracy that exists within the Council. We are confident that we will be able to present a balanced budget proposal that does not require any reduction to schools' budgets or teaching resources.

Obviously the Council's Administration may pursue a different strategy but we will vigorously pursue the arguments outlined above.

In summary, we will move a budget that contains no reduction in funding for any Edinburgh schools.

Hope that all helps ... please don't hesitate to get back to me if you need any further clarification/information ...

Andrew

Reply from Councillor Mark McInnes^?, 09 Feb 2010

Dear Ann

I fully agree with your view that we need to protect front-line services and particularly devolved school budgets. I believe that this process has been handled badly by the Administration and understand why many parents are very concerned.

My own Conservative Group is working on its proposals and we intend to protect devolved school budgets within an overall balanced budget for the Council. However, ultimately the budget that will be approved will be a Lib Dem/SNP budget as they form the Administration. We will do everything we can to put pressure on them to protect school budgets but the choice is theirs.

Yours sincerely

Councillor Mark McInnes^? Meadows and Morningside Ward

Reply from Councillor Steve Burgess (Green) 10 Feb 2010

Dear Ann

Thanks for your further letter. I agree that a 1% cut in school budgets is still not acceptable especially as it could still impact on staffing. I haven't heard what the intentions are regarding libraries but know doubt this will out.

Greens are certainly very aware of the projections for an increasing population of school children and therefore the short-sightedness of closing schools and cutting back on education budgets.

I'll make sure Cllr. Alison Johnstone, our Education spokesperson, sees your letter.

Regards Steve

Steve Burgess Green Councillor for Southside/Newington ward