GOVERNMENT funding of £180m set aside to refurbish schools across Stockton borough has been guaranteed.
Concerns had been raised that Building Schools for the Future (BSF) funding could be lost if a General Election resulted in a change of power in the spring.
The BSF scheme was created by the Labour Government, but, despite concerns over its flexibility and value to communities, the Conservatives have said any projects already agreed will be carried out.
But the three schools in the south of the borough – All Saints’ CE School, in Ingleby Barwick; Conyers School, in Yarm, and Egglescliffe School, in Eaglescliffe – are not currently covered under an agreed phase.
Stockton Borough Council has been told the money for the £180m project for new facilities for 12 secondary schools across the borough has been ringfenced, so is guaranteed to be used for improvements.
But officers are working on plans for the three remaining schools in a effort to get them included in the most recently agreed phase of work.
Coun Alex Cunningham, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Last month, the Government formally approved Stockton’s Building Schools for the Future Wave 6 Outline Business Case (OBC). The approval of the OBC means that the Government has approved our business case based on funding of approximately £180m.
“This funding is ring-fenced to Stockton and, as I understand it, secure.
“In the meantime, we are continuing to explore options for the three schools that remain outside the Wave 6 programme.
“This will ensure that we are in a position to implement a deliverable solution for those communities as soon as funding for these schools becomes available.”
James Wharton, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Stockton South, said proposals which had already been agreed would be carried out.
“Future funding will have to be looked at to ensure the best value for money and to make sure any investment would be the best for the local community,”
he said.
“Like anyone, we can’t make promises on something which doesn’t have any plans set in place yet.
“We have a situation occurring in Ingleby Barwick at the moment.
“There is a desperate need for more places, but because of the restrictions in place, the council is having to look at alternative options.
“BSF should allow them to build in Ingleby Barwick or expand the school already there to accommodate more pupils.”
He added: “It may be that we would create an alternative scheme to BSF if we were in power to allow more flexibility.”
Coun David Harrington, of Ingleby Barwick Independent Society, said: “We are desperately seeking clarification on whether there would be money for Stockton south.
“At the moment, officers are trying to find suitable sites for a new school.
“We need something as, come 2013, there is expected to be 1,600 secondary school pupils in Ingleby Barwick and only 900 places if All Saints’ has been expanded.
“Nothing has been decided yet, but we are expecting it to go before cabinet in the next couple of months.”
Over the next ten to 15 years, seven mainstream secondary schools, two special schools and a pupil referral unit will be remodelled and refurbished and two new academies will be constructed.
Each pupil will be able to follow a personalised curriculum and access different learning styles specifically tailored to their needs and aspirations.
Work on the first two schools, Bishopsgarth School and Ian Ramsey CE School, is expected to begin in June next year.
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