The exact time-frame has not been revealed.

Another option would be to top- slice the cash from the council’s education budget, but this would likely be opposed by head-teachers as all schools would be left with less money in the bank.

The report also states its overall budget would not allow the money to be found from elsewhere.

Peter Price, headteacher at St Christopher’s primary school, in Speke, said the move would hit children’s education, particularly at primary schools.

Mr Price said: “Schools live on their budgets from year to year, and if you are taking money out from already overstretched budgets then there will have to be cutbacks which will impinge on children’s education. This would be a blow.”

The council has already made it a priority to claw back unspent rainy day reserves in school coffers.

Tony McKee, headteacher at Childwall’s Rudston junior school, and chairman of the Liverpool Primary Headteachers' Association, said the extra charges would be unfair to some, as not all community schools would have issues concerning equal pay.

He added: “There has to be a council-based solution.”

The council must set its schools budget by March 5.

A council spokesman said: “This is a legitimate charge for school budgets.

“However, the council is conscious of the impact the cost will have on schools, and we want to aid them by spreading the costs.”