Cash freeze fear puts school plans in doubt
A programme to rebuild Black Country schools could be axed if the Government withdraws millions of pounds as part of a review of public spending, it was feared today.
A programme to rebuild Black Country schools could be axed if the Government withdraws millions of pounds as part of a review of public spending, it was feared today.
Education bosses in Sandwell and Walsall are particularly concerned that school contracts not at "preferred bidder" stage will be halted. This could mean redevelopment plans for eight schools in Sandwell and six in Walsall could be scrapped. All were due to be knocked down and rebuilt or remodelled in the Building Schools for the the Future scheme.
The review could also affect schemes planned for Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
In Sandwell, schools affected would include Bristnall Hall Technology College in Oldbury; Heathfield Technology College in Cradley Heath; Perryfields High School in Oldbury and Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy.
Other schools that would see plans halted include Stuart Bathurst RC High School College of Performing Arts in Wednesbury; The Meadows Special School in Oldbury and The
Phoenix Collegiate - the former Manor and Menzies High Schools in Wednesbury and West Bromwich.
Sandwell councillor Ian Jones said: "Sandwell is uncertain of the impact on its BSF Wave 5 funding of the recent announcements regarding the Government's intention to review spending priorities including schools' capital programmes."
Construction work in Walsall was due to start in 2012 with the first new and remodelled schools expected to open in 2014. Schemes at Alumwell Business and Enterprise College,
Joseph Leckie Community Technology College, Pool Hayes Arts and Community School, Shire Oak School, The Streetly School and Frank F Harrison Engineering College could be scrapped.
Walsall council leader Mike Bird said: "Nothing has been decided for definite, but I suspect it has been pulled. We will have to wait for the budget to be announced to see what is going to happen." Wolverhampton City Council said it is confident its building programme will not be affected.
