LGA says £15bn needed to make classrooms safe, calls for pooled budgets

Some £15bn is the “absolute minimum” in capital investment that councils need to spend between now and 2015 if every child is to be taught in a classroom that is safe and structurally sound, the Local Government Association has claimed.

The LGA’s analysis – conducted jointly with the Association of Directors of Children’s Services – argued that £5bn is needed for 2011/12 alone.

The two organisations said the figures highlighted the need for reforms to the country’s approach to capital spending, particularly since the halting of more than 700 projects in the Building Schools for the Future programme.

The information is to be part of the LG Group’s submission to the comprehensive spending review and the James review initiated by Education Secretary Michael Gove after the BSF announcement.

The LGA said all public spending on buildings and other capital projects should be pooled in local areas to get value for money and to attract private sector invesment.

“That would mean building work to provide new school capacity could be combined with a scheme to provide a new GP surgery, for example, making savings for both health and education,” it suggested.

Baroness Margaret Eaton, chairman of the LGA, said: “Our children need schools which are safe, clean and attractive places in which they can learn. Spending money to maintain or replace existing school buildings is unavoidable. Areas experiencing booming birth rates need to be able to expand primary schools so that every child has a place not too far from their home.

“Michael Gove has stressed his commitment to getting more crucial core funding directly to schools, via councils, but reducing behind the scenes bureaucracy will only go so far.”

Eaton said the freedoms local government is asking for would make the country’s money go further. She added: “The common sense flexibility we’re requesting will mean councils all over the country can build new schools and improve neighbourhood facilities that residents use every day.”