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

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

"Small schools will end up having to get rid of teachers or face closure," said Cllr Nelmes who called in the decision after the county council's cabinet voted in favour of the move.

Cllr Nelmes branded the consultation flawed and felt the report failed to meet two of the four outcomes identified by the working group.

"It is quite sad we are not recognising there is a need to protect small schools," said Cllr Nelmes, adding: "It could lead to redundancies."

Paula Ham, the council's head of resources and performance management, defended criticisms against the process.

"We are looking at dividing the same cake. 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."

Cabinet member Cllr 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."