Yahoo News How £57m will be spent on Staffordshire's schools
Council chiefs have set out how they plan to spend nearly £57 million on building, maintaining and improving schools across Staffordshire over the coming year. Staffordshire County Council's proposed schools capital programme for 2024/25 includes £32.5 million for new school places, as well as funding for refurbished toilets, energy efficiency improvements and replacing temporary buildings.
Cabinet members at the county council have approved the capital programme as well as approving four new school projects - primary schools in Tamworth, East Staffordshire and Lichfield, and a £26.5 million secondary school in Stafford - all to open within the next five years. According to the report to cabinet, Staffordshire will need around 5,300 extra primary school places and 2,700 more secondary school places by 2033.
Funding for next year's capital programme is expected include a £6.4 million school condition allocation grant from government and £3.2 million in basic need funding, along with £4.9 million secured from local developers via 'section 106' agreements. But the bulk of the funding - £42.1 million - has been 're-phased' from previous years.
The report says that due to there being 'a considerable degree of uncertainty' over future capital funding for schools, it is 'imperative that the county council has a predetermined set of priorities already in place', so money can be directed where it is needed as soon as it becomes available.
But the report also acknowledges that demand for capital investment across Staffordshire's 400 schools will exceed the funding available, so some 'very difficult choices' will have to be made.
Councillor Jonathan Price, cabinet member for education, said: "Maintaining our schools and creating an environment that encourages learning is crucial for our children to thrive. This year, we're investing nearly £57 million in Staffordshire schools for upkeep and improvements, with £14 million of this used to improve existing provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
"The funds will also be used to make schools more energy-efficient, directly contributing to the county council's goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions. Some of this funding will also be used to deliver new school places and improve existing provision in schools for pupils with SEND. This is to ensure children and young people, irrespective of background, can access a good education that enables them to fulfil their potential."
