Call to council over school funds

A county council has been told it must provide more information about its plans for primary schools before it can receive £8.5m in government funds.

Shropshire is one of 15 councils across the country which has been asked to provide more information before being given money to refurbish buildings.

The council is currently discussing plans to rebuild and merge some of its primary schools.

A council spokeswoman said it expected to receive the money in April 2009.

'Working closely'

Liz Nicholson, the council's director of children and young people's services, said: "The full £8.45m has still been allocated to the council.

"We need to discuss with the government exactly how the money will improve performance in schools, and we are working closely with them to finalise those details.

"A report will go to cabinet in January to update the situation."

Proposals include building a new school at Ashford Carbonell to serve Ashford Carbonell and Caynham, and a single school would also serve Bayston Hill, replacing Longmeadow and Oakland schools.

Lydbury North and Clunbury could stay on their sites but be run under one governing body.

The following infant and junior schools will combine to form all-through primary schools:

• The Grange Infant and Junior, Shrewsbury

• Mount Pleasant Infant and Junior, Shrewsbury

• Springfield Infant and Holy Cross Junior, Shrewsbury

• Meole Brace Infant and Junior, Shrewsbury

• Oswestry Infant and Beech Grove Junior