Schools cash: wait and see
Nov 28 2008 by William Green, The Journal
A SCHEME worth £260m to rebuild crumbling secondary schools in Northumberland was last night thrown into doubt amid warnings of a Whitehall cash crunch.
Northumberland County Council is hoping a bid for money to rebuild schools over a phased period to the Government next week will be successful.
The first three schools could benefit by 2011, with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) due to make a decision next year.
But the council is urging caution after a previous funding bid was rejected and news of a review of the national Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Chancellor Alistair Darling wants £5bn of public sector efficiency savings to help pay for a £20bn package designed to bring Britain out of recession.
But last night Schools Minister Jim Knight rubbished as “nonsense” any suggestion the secondary school programme could be ripped up.
Simon Reed, the county council’s education executive member, said: “In talks officers have had with the DCSF, it has been indicated that if we can devise schemes that meet their criteria, then we stand more chance of success.
“But given the previous history in terms of what we asked for and the fact we didn’t get anything, we are cautious around expectations of receiving the money and we wait to see what the Government approves early next year.”
The Liberal Democrat added: “It’s part of the Government’s pledge to rebuild all secondary schools.
“And I cannot see why they would want to back out of its commitment, particularly given that it wants to increase public investment to counter the economic downturn.”
Sir Alan Beith, Lib Dem MP for Berwick, said: “There are places where areas haven’t delivered, where there are delays in projects.
“And I think they should give Northumberland a chance to build some of its schools. Alnwick, for example, is in desperate need of a new high school.”
Schools Minister Jim Knight moved to reassure parents and councils. He insisted BSF was building momentum with more than 200 revamped or rebuilt schools opening every year by 2011 and most councils completing their programmes by 2020.
Mr Knight said it was an unprecedented school modernisation programme and that it was “absolutely right” to ensure taxpayers got the best from every penny spent.
“This is not a scaling back of BSF or any other departmental project – it is common sense.”
Click the links below to read how we reported this issue
Share
