Bid to spend private school tax windfall on activities for young people rejected

Bromsgrove District Council has rejected plans to fund development activities for young people and those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) at their most recent meeting on Wednesday 4th December.

Following the new Labour Government taxing private schools, Bromsgrove District Council is set to benefit from receiving an extra £225,000 from business rate relief on Bromsgrove School being dropped.

Sam Evans, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Slideslow, proposed that the Council doesn't lose this significant influx of money into the black hole of local government finances and suggested that the money is ring fenced to fund development activities for young people, with a particular focus on helping those with SEND.

The motion was seconded by Councillor James Clarke, Bromsgrove District Council's newest councillor who won the Sidemoor seat for the Liberal Democrats off the Labour party in September. 

Councillor Sam Evans expressed that he recognises that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrat parties have different views to the Labour party on whether education should be taxed, however the Council now has the opportunity to make the most of the hand it has been dealt.

During the debate he commented: "Young people are our future, and this generation has been blighted by the disruption from the Covid pandemic. They are our future doctors, our future teachers, and even our future councillors. If we want a better future for Bromsgrove District, as all of us in this room want, then I believe we should invest in our future by ringfencing these funds for young people".

Councillor Evans provided examples of activities that could be supported by the Council, including swimming lessons and arts activities.

Conservative and Labour councillors opposed the motion, with some arguing that the Council cannot afford to spend this money and others arguing that the motion should not be approved on the basis that education is a function of the County Council and the District Council should therefore not spend this money on education.

These arguments were rebutted by councillors from the Liberal Democrats, now the largest opposition group on the Council, who highlighted that the motion did not call for funding education and the wording specifically refers to development activities. Bromsgrove District Council already funds some development activities for young people as part of the Leisure Portfolio. The Council already provides sports and arts services of which £128,000 was allocated in this year's budget.

Councillor Evans expressed his disappointment at the motion being voted down and asked that councillors from across the political divide work with him to help ensure that the budget set in February 2025 funds development activities for young people and those with SEND.