An SNP councillor has welcomed the commitment to Participatory Budgeting (PB) in schools in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area.
Katy Louden, who represents Cambuslang East, praised the efforts of pupils, staff and parents when elected members were given a progress report on PB for 2022/23 at a Cambuslang and Rutherglen area committee.
The PB initiative gives children and young people more say on how the school budget is spent using the Pupil Equity Fund (PEF).
PEF is allocated directly to schools to help close the poverty related attainment gap and used in this way can help promote wider democratic involvement of pupils.
Every school receiving PEF set aside at least five per cent of this budget for (PB) which enables children and young people to be actively engaged and involved in the purchase of learning resources.
In the latest report to councillors officers stated that learning from PB activity in 21-22 has informed this year’s process and that PB training was updated for 22-23 to build on the successes and challenges from year one of implementation.
It also stated that schools within the Cambuslang and Rutherglen area have collectively allocated £109,421.75 (approximately six per cent of their £1,819,225 PEF allocation) for participatory budgeting in 22-23.
Split among learning communities the totals are: Cathkin - £40,583; Trinity - £28, 236; Stonelaw - £40, 602.50.
Speaking about the ongoing PB work, Councillor Louden said: "It is great. I am so relieved that we have got confirmation from the new leader that the administration aren't following through with the plan to chuck all this hard work as it is clearly very valuable."
Councillor Louden did however raise concerns from a parent council over pupils', particularly of primary age, expectations over timescales.
She said some were left feeling "disheartened" over the time taken for procurement of any equipment or other items agreed through participatory budgeting.
A council officer said this was noted and more work could be done on giving pupils greater understanding of the process.
While Liberal Democrat Robert Brown, who represents Rutherglen South, called for more information on the "innovative things" being done in schools and it was agreed further information would be brought to the next Cambuslang and Rutherglen area committee.
The report by officers added that 73 per cent of schools have allocated the minimum five per cent of their PEF budget this year, whilst 27 per cent of schools have allocated more than this.
This session, five schools have allocated a larger percentage of their PEF allocation to PB than in 21-22.
Only three schools in the area allocated less percentage than in 21-22.
Last year, schools received an additional 15 per cent uplift to their PEF allocation from the Scottish Government to support recovery post-Covid.
This session, PEF allocations are more in-line with pre-uplift levels, and this along-with increasing staff costs have been contributory factors for the schools who have allocated less than in 21-22.
The report was noted and agreed by elected members.
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