Kirklees Council has agreed to invest £4.1m in urgent works at its schools in a bid to address a £40m backlog and avoid closures.
The approval of funding was granted at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, the majority of which comes from the Department for Education’s Schools Condition Capital Grant. The cash will be used to improve school buildings and will cover works such as the installation of new roofs, electrical equipment, boilers, heating and LED lighting systems, and upgrades to access for children with additional needs.
Schools in line for investment have been identified based on the highest level of need. Schools with the biggest projects include Westborough High School, Golcar Junior Infant and Nursery, Battyeford CE (VC) Primary School, Flatts Nursery School, and Westmoor Primary School.
(Image: Kirklees Council)
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Cabinet Member for Children, Cllr Viv Kendrick, told the meeting: “This is to about ensuring our maintained schools in Kirklees are able to remain open by dealing with urgent repair and maintenance issues. It also addresses specific needs for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and ensures that health and safety issues in schools are dealt with properly. Plus, a contingency fund to cover any unexpected costs arising.”
Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, Cllr Graham Turner added: “This is an annual process we go through. We identify the schools most in need and then we draw up this list and do these programmes over the six week holidays. It’s a great piece of work, preparing this, making sure that everything’s in place so that when the schools close, staff move in and deliver these programmes.”
Following the meeting, David Shepherd, Strategic Director for Growth and Regeneration, Kirklees Council said: “The health and safety for pupils and staff, alongside providing quality learning environments, is a key priority. These works are part of an essential school maintenance programme that the council carries out each year to ensure that Kirklees schools remain safe, dry, warm, and secure, ensuring positive outcomes for children both now and in the future.’
“By investing to make their facilities cleaner and greener at the same time, we can have a major, positive impact for many years to come.”
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