Go-ahead to start building new schools

Date published: 11 April 2010

Just as the parliamentary agenda is being consigned to the past, Tameside Council has sealed a bright future for another six of its schools.

Amid the last-minute dash to conclude business at Westminster ahead of the April 12 dissolution, the borough has succeeded in closing the second PFI contract in its Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme – the biggest capital programme Tameside has ever known.

It includes new buildings for Hyde Technology School; Dale Grove School; the new Denton Community College and its Key Stage 3 Learning Centre, and the Key Stage 4 Learning Centre, which will be built on the former Globe Lane Primary School site in Dukinfield.

The 25-year contract also includes cleaning, caretaking, catering and maintenance as well as a five-year information and communications technology (ICT) managed service. The total value of the 25-year PFI (private finance initiative) contract is £125 million with construction costs estimated at £67 million.

Tameside Council is also in the process of agreeing a contract to construct a £28 million building for Droylsden Academy, which will also have a managed ICT services.

The first school will be completed in September, 2011, with all schools being open by January, 2012.

Tameside is one of 11 councils nationally to secure the additional funding in what is expected to be the last allocation before the next Public Spending Review.

Cllr Roy Oldham, the Executive Leader of Tameside Council, commented: “This is wonderful news. Once the general election was called there was always the chance that our funding might have been delayed or lost in the scramble which always follows an announcement that Parliament is to be dissolved.

“Competition for the funding was extremely fierce but Tameside Council has been recognised as high performing by the Audit Commission and this, together with an excellent track record for delivery, has meant that we have once again been successful in securing funding to invest in our young people’s futures.

“Not only will it transform buildings, it will also enable us to improve the educational attainment of young people, providing them with more opportunities to access education, training and employment. When the programme is complete, Tameside’s secondary schools will be the envy of other cities and towns across the country.

“The BSF programme demonstrates a clear commitment on the part of the council that no child will ever be left behind, that every young person matters, and that every young person should be helped to reach their full potential.

“Building Schools for the Future will help to deliver just that. It will help us to build better and brighter futures for all our young people, and our communities.”

Cllr Gerald Cooney, Executive Member for Lifelong Learning, added: “I am delighted that we have been able to make this announcement. This opportunity to invest another £95 million in our young people’s future will enable our schools to be the best in the country.

“It is good news for our schools and also for the local economy. The Tameside Local Education Partnership - which will be taking care of the construction work, ICT and facilities management services - has committed to spending 55 per cent of the budget in our area. It will secure the future of our children and immediate jobs within the borough.”