SCHOOLS are being forced to repay £1million following a Flintshire Council blunder, sparking fears jobs could be axed.
Last year an error in Flintshire Council’s budget meant the 12 high schools across the county were over-paid by £1million and the schools have now been told they have got to pay it back in full.
Cllr Aaron Shotton has blasted council bosses over the error.
He said: “I’m absolutely shocked and amazed that such a level of incompetence has now put our schools at risk and I fear for teachers’ jobs.”
Cllr Bernie Attridge said: “This is total mismanagement by Flintshire County Council. How could such an oversight ever occur? This could mean job losses at our secondary schools.
"It’s a damning blow to our schools that are already under pressure due to the fact the pupils in Flintshire receive the lowest funding per head in North Wales.”
Cllr Klaus Armstrong Braun said the schools should be allowed to keep the money.
“It’s disgraceful. If they can prove that they have spent the money wisely then they should not have to give the money back,” he said.
“If they can’t afford to pay it back it could mean having to sack staff and mean that schools are unable to provide pupils with a proper education.”
Cllr Nigel Steele-Mortimer, portfolio holder for education at Flintshire Council, said the schools would have up to two years to pay back the money.
He said: “We are aware of this. The situation is that it appears that the secondary schools have been allocated £1million too much.
"We are discussing the matter with head teachers. Some will be able to pay it back in one year and for others it will take up to two years.”
An internal investigation is currently being carried out to determine how the mistake occurred and the results are expected tomorrow.
The high schools were not available for comment when contacted by the Leader.