A SPECIAL school in Newtown has an improving financial outlook and has found new governors, an education chief has said.
At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Governance and Audit committee on Friday, May 23 councillors and lay members received an internal audit report that assessed the adequacy of governance and controls at Ysgol Robert Owen special school in Newtown, which was formerly known as Ysgol Cedewain.
Last September staff and pupils moved into a £22 million new school building in Newtown.
The review identified significant gaps, weaknesses, or instances of non-compliance” and highlighted concerns about the school budget.
Kevin Price of SWAP (South West Audit Partnership) said: “Ysgol Robert Owen received a limited assurance opinion in October 2024.
“We did determine that the governance of the school required improvement, at the time of the audit there were six vacant governor posts which had a significant impact on its governance, it’s management and overall effectiveness.
“But by far the main cause of concern was the school budget.
“The school received a warning notice in July 2019 and that was still in place at the time of audit.”
He explained that the school was projected to have a deficit of £589,000 by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year and this was expected to increase to £1.45 million by the end of the 2026/2027 financial year.
Mr Price said: “I appreciate they would have changed by now.
“Finally, the school were operating with an unlicensed budget and have now formalised a deficit recovery plan which is now in place.”
Head of school improvement and learning Anwen Orrells said: “I can reassure members that most of those governor vacancies have been filled and most importantly the school has worked very well with us throughout the autumn term.”
“They have met with myself and finance colleagues on numerous occasions and also twice with the director of education (Dr Richard Jones) and s151 officer (and director of corporate services) Jane Thomas, to discuss their recovery plans and renewal of their warning notice.”
Mrs Orrells told the committee that “even though” the cumulative financial deficit is “still there” it is “significantly” smaller than what it was.
Mrs Orrells said: “As it currently stands from their submission on May 1 their in-year deficit for 2024/2025 ended on a £141,000 deficit and a cumulative deficit of £366,000.
“I’m pleased to announce that in future Robert Owen are predicting in-year surplus budget which is having a significant impact on the cumulative deficit projected for the future.
“They remain on a warning notices until we have assurances that the cumulative deficit can be addressed.”
Committee chairwoman and lay member, Lynne Hamilton said: “All credit to the school for improving its financial position and managing to recruit governors.
“It’s good news and I hope things manage to stabilise.”
Earlier this year the school was the subject of union ballot for industrial action following proposals for mass redundancies.
