In February there was a meeting to scrutinise the decision made by the Council to close Virgo Fidelis School in Upper Norwood. There are many reasons why this school is closing, but there is a significant cost to Croydon Council as a result of its closure. Over the last few years the school has been building up an increasing deficit and the Council will have to pay that deficit once the school closes. This will amount to over £2.5m.
In the Scrutiny meeting last week there was no satisfactory answer to the question of why the school was allowed to remain open for so long without intervention from the Council to reduce this deficit. Ultimately, the Croydon Council tax payer will pay for this as it will add to the Council’s increasing debt mountain. This can only be covered by a loan from the Government which will have to be paid back.
