Council set to spend £1.7m repairing school buildings
‘MOST URGENT’ WORK TO TAKE PLACE OVER THE SUMMER
The cost of revamping school buildings in Sunderland with new equipment, roofing and electrics will cost the council nearly £2million.
Sunderland City Council (SCC) cabinet met to discuss the Children’s Services Capital Programme which covers school maintenance and major repair works.
Although the council has a £1.1million pot to support works on primary and nursery schools, it’s estimated the whole scheme will cost £1.76million.
Plans include roof replacements or structural works at five primary schools and mechanical/electrical works at other schools and nurseries in the city.
Cabinet member for children, learning and skills, Louise Farthing, said works were based on “most urgent need” and would take place during the summer.
Cabinet member for communities and culture, John Kelly, also welcomed the plans.
“It’s good to see that there is a commitment there to make sure that some of the buildings don’t end up in some of the stateswehaveseeninprevious years,” he said.
An additional £90,000 will also be chanelled into schools from the Healthy Pupils Capital Fund – a pot generated through Government receipts from the soft drinks levy to help improve the health and wellbeing of pupils.
This will see new ovens and counters installed at East Rainton, Albany, Barmston and Blackfell Primary Schools and new dining furniture for all council maintained schools.
Following discussion, council bosses authorised officers to seek multiple contracts for the works.