Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, November 25, 2008

MORE THAN £;80 million could be spent on rebuilding four secondary schools if the Government approves a bid from Devon County Council.

Devon's Executive Committee this afternoon (Tues) agreed to bid for £76 million of Government cash to start work on new buildings for Chulmleigh, Dartmouth, Ilfracombe and Tiverton secondary schools.

In addition Marland special school in Torrington would also be rebuilt.

Councillors agreed to urge the Government to allow building on the schools to start as soon as possible.

And they are also asking for more money to be made available as early as possible to start work on secondary school projects which do not meet the strict Government criteria for cash from the Building Schools for the Future programme.

A decision by the Government is expected early in the New Year.

Councillors were told they might need to add up to 10 per cent of the bid to ensure all the schemes are viable.

Devon's deputy leader and executive councillor for children's services, John Smith, said: "In the past the Government has indicated Devon would be in the latter waves of the BSF scheme.

"However they have now invited local authorities to bid to join the scheme earlier.

"We have put together what we think is a sensible set of proposals for schools that badly need to be replaced.

"We think these schemes would also make a major contribution to economic and social regeneration in these towns and so have a positive impact on a range of services we provide in addition to the primary aim of improving educational standards.

"But we also have a number of schools in Devon, for example Queen Elizabeth Community College in Crediton, which we believe needs a major building programme as soon as possible but which does not currently satisfy the Government's criteria for BSF.

"We hope the Government might allow us some 'wriggle room' and grant us some extra cash to get on with projects like QECC as well as those schemes which do qualify for BSF money.

"The Government's decision yesterday to borrow more money to try to spend their way out of the recession means that more cash may be available for local authorities which have proved they have the capability to handle complex building programmes like this."

The Government confirmed this month that Devon was one of only 41 out of 150 local authorities to have its primary school building plans given the full green light.

Ministers have agreed to grant Devon £14 million over the next two years and the county will double this from its own resources.

The Primary Capital Programme calls for half the nation's primary schools to be refurbished or rebuilt in the next 14 years.

County councillors heard this afternoon that the bid for the BSF secondary school programme includes:

        £25.2 million for a brand new school to replace Tiverton High

        £25.2 million for a brand new school to replace Ilfracombe Media Arts College

        £10.6 million to replace Chulmleigh Community College with some extra funding to support the federation with Chulmleigh Primary School

        £9 million to replace Dartmouth Community College combined with some primary capital funds to refurbish Dartmouth Primary School which is situated on the same learning campus

        £6 million to replace Marland School

NOTE TO NEWS EDS: John Smith is available for interview on 01626 772223.

Ends

• Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
• Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey

• Budget £800 million
• Key investments include:
• Schools £349 million
• Adult and Community Services £164 million
• Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
• Children and Young People £101 million

• Other important County Council support includes:
• Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres

• Political make-up:
• County Council seats: 62
• 33 Liberal Democrat
• 23 Conservative
• 4 Labour
• 2 Independent
• Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009

• Key stats:
• Population: 741,000
• Schools: 365
• Pupils: 96,200
• Children looked after: 584
• Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
• Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
• Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
• Roads: 12,831 kms (7,973 miles)
• Bridges: 3,500
• Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
• Streetlights: 71,000
• Illuminated road signs: 10,917
• Recycling Centres: 20
• Recycling rate: 49.21%

Figures may be subject to change

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