REPRESENTATIVES from two Southampton schools will be making impassioned pleas for funding to be delivered at today’s budget meeting.

Springhill Catholic Primary School expected to receive £400,000 as part of the council’s budget which was approved last February.

Southampton City Council approved a budget of £167.13 million at its 2016 meeting – £30.45 million was set aside for education and children’s social care, which included funding for an approved scheme at Springhill.

Portswood Primary School was also given financial assurances by the council to support an additional classes, according to opposition leader Jeremy Moulton.

But Southampton City Council Labour leader Simon Letts said the money was wrongly offered to the schools by a council officer.

Mr Letts said: “In good faith, we will honour some of the investment these schools are requesting from us even though as they are academies – investments should be from government.”

Conservative opposition has been pressuring the council to pay up following meetings with the schools.

Cll Moulton said the money for Springhill was voted through by city councillors at the budget meeting, but since then, the funding has been pulled. He added Portswood Primary was also given financial assurances which have since been rescinded.

“Both schools have accepted additional classes for children following discussions with the city council,” he said. “These schools were promised funding for additional classrooms. The money was then withdrawn. These are two of the best schools in the city.

“Springhill was rated ‘Outstanding’.”

“Both schools have accepted bulge classes. For the council to then backtrack and not honour its commitments is shocking.”

Portswood ward councillor Paul O’Neill, inset, said: “Portswood Primary School also accepted a bulge class, which saw its infant library transformed into an extra classroom.

“The school was promised that by taking the bulge class on, it would receive a £500,000 new build – but that was not delivered in time for the extra class.

“The infant library was then converted to accommodate these extra pupils, and although the school received some money from the council towards it, it was insufficient.

“As that bulge class moves through the school, there will be additional work required.

“The school is now hoping to secure that additional funding from the council and will be making an appeal at today’s meeting.”