SMALL schools in Monmouthshire could be heading for closure under the new funding formula.

Abergavenny councillor Verona Nelmes issued the stark warning moments before the county lifelong learning select committee agreed to adopt the new formula.

"For small schools like Llanfair Kilgeddin (who would lose £8,622) they will have to get rid of teachers or are heading for closure," said Cllr Nelmes who called in the decision after the county council's cabinet voted in favour of the move. She was backed by Cllrs Roger Harris and Bob Wilcox.

Cllr Nelmes branded the consultation flawed and felt the report failed to meet two of the four outcomes identified by the working group, which were a fair distribution of funding and improved transparency.

"I am looking for a strategy to protect small schools. Llanover has the smallest decrease (£5,483) and was down for closure. The decision was taken to save it and it should be protected," added Cllr Nelmes.

"It is quite sad we are not recognising there is a need to protect small schools."

Paula Ham, head of resources and performance management at MCC, defended criticisms against the process, saying: "We are looking at dividing the same cake. The money will have to come from other schools. "Parts of the current formula are so complex. We inherited it from the former Gwent County Council. This new formula is so simplistic."

Head teacher of Monmouth Comprehensive School Carol Anderson who supports the new formula said: "If the old formula runs, I am expecting a clawback of £120,000 and predicting a deficit of £300,000 to £500,000, which is significant."

Cllr Eric Saxon said that there will be winners and losers.

"The main losers are the small schools and much of that is to do with falling rolls and viability. Those small schools with the falling rolls need close monitoring to see how viable they are as schools and the budget is a key part of that."

John Healy, head of Our Lady and St Michael Primary School, Abergavenny, said: "I have enormous sympathy for small schools. I would back the proposal but would like to see an ongoing process where problems can be tweaked rather than leave it for five years when the problem has exacerbated."

Cabinet member Peter Fox: "We did take this funding formula and went through it in fine detail and supported it. The process and forum has done its work."