Lancashire schools set for £14m maintenance boost

Councillors have signed off a list of school maintenance schemes in Lancashire totalling almost £14 million.

Each year the Department for Education allocates funding to help maintain and improve the condition of school buildings and grounds.

School capital funding allocations are usually announced in April, and it is expected that this year's allocation will be approximately £14 million, in line with previous years.

Those schemes considered as the highest priority and earmarked for capital funding will be commissioned with and delivered by the county council's Design and Construction Service.

In line with the council's priority of protecting the environment, where appropriate each project will be considered individually for suitability for a low carbon heating solution. Consideration will also be given to the building fabric, heat load of the building, occupants need, local electricity infrastructure and projected running costs as part of the initial feasibility.

It is anticipated that 40% of the proposed programme will be delivered in 2023/24, with the remainder of the programme being delivered in the following financial year. Where possible, the programme will be delivered in school holidays.

A new report on the Condition Led Capital Investment Programme for 2023/24 and its recommendations was approved by the county council's cabinet on 2 February.

County Councillor Jayne Rear, cabinet member for education and skills, said: "Some of our school buildings are showing their age and bringing them up to modern standards is costly.

"It is therefore crucial that we carefully consider which projects need this funding most, and we have a robust system in place that helps us to do this.

"Those projects that aren't considered the highest priorities at this time will be reviewed, prioritised and considered for any future programmes."

For more information visit: CouncilAgenda for Cabinet on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023, 2.00 pm (lancashire.gov.uk)