Schools boss in vow on funds for revamp

A pledge to secure funding to rebuild or revamp outdated secondary schools in Dudley has been made by education bosses.

It comes after the authority missed out on a massive £200 million windfall to overhaul schools across the borough.

Council chiefs today vowed they would keep fighting for the money and said talks were underway. John Freeman, director for children’s services, said: “”We were very disappointed not to be included in the latest phase of the Building Schools for the Future programme.

“We remain in close touch with the relevant Government department with a view to moving our plans forward as soon as we can.

“We have valued our local MPs’ support to date and will be writing to them shortly to seek their continued support.”

Last month’s devastating announcement was described as a “real kick in the teeth” for the borough by education boss Liz Walker.

The council had hoped to be named as one of eight across the country to be fast-tracked onto the Building Schools for the Future Government programme, with work starting on transforming crumbling schools immediately.

But when the list was published by schools minister Jim Knight, Dudley was not on it. Neighbouring authority Walsall was listed along with Worcestershire and Staffordshire.

The council has hit back at claims from Dudley North MP Ian Austin that it ignored warnings from the Government the bid was destined to fail.

Mr Austin said he understands the bid will be looked at again in the spring but has urged the authority to develop better proposals.

He said: “We’ve won an assurance from ministers that they’ll look at another bid in the spring and we could get the funding then, but the council need to come up with better proposals.

“What they should do now is sit down with everyone involved in education in the borough so that we can come up with a proper plan that will make the grade.”