Government won't reconsider plans to scrap Sandwell schools building scheme

Jul 9 2010 By Jonathan Walker

Further confusion over the fate of Sandwell schools has arisen after the council claimed the Government had promised to rethink the decision to scrap rebuilding schemes at nine schools - only for the Government to deny making any such promise.

The mix-up followed a meeting between Sandwell Borough Council leader Darren Cooper and Education Secretary Michael Gove.

They discussed the Government’s decision to stop building schemes at nine Sandwell schools which had been approved under the previous Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme.

Coun Cooper issued a statement saying: “The Secretary of State asked to see me and we have had a very positive meeting during which he has agreed to review his decision to stop the programme.”

But the Department for Education said this was incorrect, and the decision would stand.

A spokesman said Sandwell’s Building Schools for the Future projects were not being reviewed but the Government was reviewing school building spending in general, to see how funding could be allocated across the country in future.

The Department would look at Sandwell’s plans in the light of that review, the spokesman said.