Schools are one of the areas running over budget – and rated red – according to the latest budget monitoring figures from Pembrokeshire County Council.

Rated red are schools, culture and related services, planning and development services and court services, the budget monitoring report for quarter three states.

Cabinet member for finance Clr. Bob Kilmister presented the report at Monday’s (March 11) cabinet meeting.

Members heard that schools were £1.5millon over budget currently but “historically this is where the last minute grants appear,” said Clr. Kilmister, after explaining that only guaranteed income was included in the figures.

Grants to cover teacher pay increases have been announced but not yet received, and will be included in quarter four figures.

Schools will use reserves to cover the shortfall cabinet was told, leaving some schools with no balances, added Clr. Kilmister.

Seven primary schools, two secondary schools and one middle school are forecast to be in deficit by the end of this financial year.

The Culture and Heritage Service is projected to be £0.029m overspent due in part to slippage of the cost reductions/efficiencies, plus some additional salary costs.

Planning overspend is linked to reduced income from planning fees, not achieving efficiency savings and additional properties being declared surplus to requirements, with some delay in disposal.

While an increase in coroners pay and two long inquests have contributed to the court service being over budget, said Clr. Kilmister.

The budget monitoring will be reported to scrutiny later this month.