School building projects in limbo as £1bn in question

Politicians across the region have called for the Government to clarify the future of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Eight local authorities across the North-East are still completing contract negotiations for (BSF) school rebuilding projects totalling £1,106m.

However, a review of the former government’s spending decisions by the new coalition has thrown these plans into doubt.

While a number of the authorities say they plan to forge ahead with their rebuilding plans until they hear otherwise, others have expressed concerns about the new government’s commitment to the BSF programme.

In Darlington, three secondary schools, Longfield, Branksome and Hurworth, were promised £41m of funding for major rebuilding or renovation work in December.

However, a date for financial close – the final stage before funding is released – has not yet been confirmed.

A meeting between senior council officials and the two local members of parliament is due to take place on Friday to discuss the situation.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said: “The three schools that have the agreement that they would be getting funding are looking for clarity.

“They’ve been left in limbo, unable to get any assurances.

“We’re being let down. All of the signals seem to indicate that the money for Darlington will be withdrawn. This is exactly what [David] Cameron said he was going to do before the election.”

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, whose constituency covers Hurworth, said: “I will fight tooth and nail to ensure that the teaching staff, parents and children that use the school get what they need for their education.”

Darlington council leader John Williams said the situation was “very worrying”. He said: “We will do everything possible to persuade the new coalition government that the plans should go ahead.”

Chief executive of Hurworth school Eamonn Farrar said: “It’s a big worry, everybody knows that the building is on its last legs. We’ve all done a lot of work in this. I personally have put in more than a hundred man hours.

“If we don’t get the money we’ll do what we always do and make the best of it.”

Councillor Heather Scott, the leader of Darlington Borough Council’s Conservative group, said: “Before the election, none of the parties had made any commitment to this – the Labour Government in particular. If they felt strongly about it, why hadn’t they signed the contracts before they went out of office?

“If there is any money available, the Conservative group will do our very best to make sure that Darlington’s voices are heard with our counterparts in government.”

At Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, £90m worth of projects are planned under BSF.

Councillor Ian Jeffrey, the cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “We’re watching quite desperately as we need this investment.

“Until we hear otherwise, we’ll stay on the course that we’ve set ourselves.”

David Theobald, project director for the Building Schools for the Future programme for Durham County Council, said: “Our plans for the renewal of Durham’s schools are well advanced, and so at the moment it’s business as usual.”

A statement from the Department of Education, said: “The Department for Education has not announced a review of BSF funding.

“However, the Government is committed to a full comprehensive spending review in the autumn and ministers will shortly be considering their spending priorities, which will take into account all areas of spending including school capital.

“No decisions have currently been taken on BSF or other capital programmes.”

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