New schools get the go ahead

Plans to build two new primary schools in Herefordshire are to proceed following discussions regarding a £2.28million funding gap.

The council agreed to build new schools for Riverside Primary School in South Wye (formerly Hunderton Infant and Junior School) and Sutton County Primary School as the school buildings were in poor condition and required considerable maintenance and repair work.

Tenders were received for both projects in December but were higher than estimated due to the rising cost of steel and increases in building costs.  Added to this was the cost of temporary classrooms on the Riverside site which were needed to accommodate the junior children in what will be a phased approach to the new build. 

With a total cost of £11million, the council has explored and discussed ways of reducing the £2.28million funding gap.  Options had included scaling both the projects down.  However, with new homes planned close by both schools, it was felt this would be inappropriate.

The council met last week and agreed to fund the shortfall from council reserves.  The figures do not include anticipated income of £500,000 from land to be sold adjacent to Riverside School.  Any capital receipts gained for this land will go back into the council’s reserves and not be offset against the cost of building the schools. 

Now that tenders have been agreed, work will begin at Riverside Primary School in early May and at Sutton next month.