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Vital repairs to a host of Lancaster district schools set to be given green light

Seven schools across Lancaster and Morecambe are in line to receive vital repairs over the next year as part of a programme by Lancashire County Council.

The schools are included in the 2025-26 Schools Condition Led Programme, which is set to be approved by the county council later this week.

The programme is reviewed every year and contains the highest priority works identified in Community, Voluntary Controlled and Maintained Schools in Lancashire.

The programme is funded by a grant from the Department for Education (DfE). Allocations are usually announced in April. Previous year's allocations indicate that approximately £14m should be received in 2025/26.

On Thursday, councillors will be asked to sign off on the 2025/26 programme, which includes Appletree Nursery, Bowerham Primary, Caton Primary, Willow Lane Primary, Torrisholme Primary, West End Primary and Westgate Primary.

Each year, the government allocates money to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) using the National Funding Formula (NFF) to reflect pupils' needs.

This funding is for education provision and is separate to the DfE allocations related to the Schools Condition Led Programme.

Councillor Jayne Rear, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said: "We've looked at the amount of DfE funding we're likely to receive and drawn up a list of schools that need priority repair work to ensure they can continue to operate safely with little risk of disruption to young people's education.

"It is essential that school buildings are kept in good repair to ensure they remain a safe place for young people, teachers and the whole school community.

"Protecting the environment is also a major consideration and repairs and maintenance work will contribute towards reduction of CO2 levels where possible.

"Cabinet will consider the list at its next meeting and if we proceed, will make the preparations needed to enact the programme.

"School budgets are allocated by the local authority following the funding settlement from government provided in December of each year. Proposals are agreed in consultation with Schools Forum and then Cabinet finally approve the allocation.

"We know that schools are still under significant pressure and we will continue to work and support them however we can."

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