Board refuses to back school cuts

Schools are being asked to save millions of pounds

The Belfast Education and Library Board has refused to approve a package of cuts which would save almost £4m.

Members unanimously agreed to defer the decision at Tuesday's finance committee meeting, to allow them to meet with Education Minister Angela Smith.

The largest single amount would have come out of the special needs budget through redundancies and unit closures.

Targets also included crossing patrols, increasing school meal costs and job losses at Belfast School of Music.

Ulster Unionist board member Michael McGimpsey said the board had already repaid a total of £9m in the past 12 months.

"I think it's outrageous, bearing in mind the pain the board went through in days gone by, that having achieved that we should still be punished," he said.

The SDLP's Tim Attwood said the cuts would hit the most vulnerable sections of the community.

"The SDLP will be lobbying government for additional funds to prevent such cuts in essential educational services," he said.

Diane Dodds of the DUP said she was "resolutely opposed" to the proposed cuts.

"Proper representations must be made to both the minister and the board in a bid to ensure that those living in areas of deprivation are not victims of any cuts," she said.

There is a deadline to get financial plans to the Department of Education by 10 March.