SECONDARY schools in Machynlleth and Llanidloes are to be investigated for funding school transport for pupils living outside of the school catchment areas.

Two Powys County Council Cabinet reports, published ahead of a meeting held yesterday, recommend that Ysgol Bro Hyddgen and Llanidloes High School be investigated for paying transport costs for pupils living outside of the school catchment area and, in the case of the former, outside of the county.

The council say Ysgol Bro Hyddgen has funded the transport of “up to 12” pupils from the Dolgellau area, amounting to around £10,000 a year, out of money which should have been spent on education.

And in the case of Llanidloes High School, the council report states that, in the last five years, the school has spent £62,087 out of its educational budget on school transport for pupils travelling from Newtown.

Ysgol Bro Hyddgen and Llanidloes High School will now be investigated and a report back to Cabinet will make further recommendations, including whether any school governors should face action.

Dafydd Jones, headmaster of Ysgol Bro Hyddgen, said: “School budgets are complicated, and review of expenditure and income with council officers is a standard and continuous procedure for all schools — travel expenditure is only a small part of this procedure.”

Llanidloes High School headteacher Jane Harries declined to comment until after the report was discussed by Cabinet.

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