Published: 07/07/2010 09:15 -
Updated: 07/07/2010 11:36
It has released a statement which says that because the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme has been cancelled, it no longer has the funding to carry on with the proposals.
Councillor David Sawyer, portfolio holder for children’s services, said:
“We are extremely disappointed with the decision to cancel the Building Schools for the Future Programme (BSF). The programme represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity for vast investment to transform schooling in Bedford Borough, and it is obviously a major blow that the programme has been brought to an end before that investment was made.
“I am furious on behalf of local taxpayers over the £486,000 we have been forced to spend on the project to date due to the bureaucratic arrangements of BSF. We told both the previous government and the new government that BSF was overly bureaucratic and wasteful and could be done much more cheaply.
“The decision taken by the Full Council on 16th November 2009 to pursue a comprehensive programme of restructuring to a two-tier system was dependent on the receipt of BSF funding. Full Council’s decision to pursue that programme as proposed does not stand, therefore, but we will not simply shrug our shoulders and accept the current situation, in which there is real scope for improvement.
“We will work on further plans to achieve the transformation of education in Bedford Borough and the improvement in standards which is needed and which we all want to see.
“The underlying fact is that Bedford Borough’s schools need investment as part of efforts to raise standards. We will fight tooth and nail for that investment for current and future generations of children and young people in Bedford Borough, and I look forward to the chance to make the case for the borough as part of the Government’s new review of capital investment in schools.”
Bedford Borough Council is now seeking a meeeting with the Secretary of State for Education to find out other options.
A spokesman said: “The Council is disappointed to receive the news that the BSF Programme has been terminated. The Council when approving the three to two tier change based its decision on BSF funding being available.
"Given this is no longer available in its original format the Council is arranging a meeting with the Secretary of State for Education so as to gain an understanding of all the options available, in light of the review announced yesterday.
"The Council remains committed to improving educational standards throughout the Borough and will be considering how it moves forward to achieve this objective, as details from Government become clearer.”
"Given this is no longer available in its original format the Council is arranging a meeting with the Secretary of State for Education so as to gain an understanding of all the options available, in light of the review announced yesterday.
"The Council remains committed to improving educational standards throughout the Borough and will be considering how it moves forward to achieve this objective, as details from Government become clearer.”
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