2:49pm Friday 30th July 2010
By Jon Livesey
EAST Lancashire MPs have challenged the Education Minister to outline fresh plans for schools once earmarked for multi-million pound redevelopment.
Cuts to the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme meant plans to transform four Pendle secondary schools and another two in Hynd-burn have been halted.
Barnoldswick West Craven, Colne Park High, Colne Primet, Haslingden High, Fisher More in Colne and Tor View special school in Haslingden had all been earmarked for a full rebuild under the BSF scheme.
Andrew Stephenson, MP for Pendle, said he met with Tory schools secretary Michael Gove on Tuesday.
Mr Stephenson said he accepted the cancel-lation of the BSF programme, which he described as ‘too complex and bureau-cratic’.
He said: “I explained that the schools whose plans have been delayed had realistic plans, which were not as costly or as grand as many of the previous BSF projects.
I also pointed out the time that local teachers and school governors have dedicated to drawing these up.”
According to Mr Stephenson, Mr Gove told him the points he raised would be taken into account in the review of how best to allocate money for schools and said the schools in the worst condition would be prioritised.
Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said he wrote to Mr Gove this week, but was dissatisfied with the answer he received.
He said: “The reply I received just said they were reviewing all areas of capital spending.
“Schools are a completely under-valued resource. BSF was not just about a lick of paint. It was about redesigning buildings and including com-munities with extended opening hours.
“Michael Gove wants to go back to the dark ages.”
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