School improvement programme will suffer huge delays without extra Assembly Government funding

12.00.00am GMT Wed 19th Nov 2008

Swansea Council's ambitious QED school investment programme could falter and fall behind schedule without significant extra capital investment by the Welsh Assembly Government, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has warned.

The Council has recently published interim proposals, which are subject to consultation and discussion with key stakeholders before progressing. However, the price tag attached to these proposals may prove too steep leaving children being taught in substandard schools for longer than intended unless the Government live up to their promises and put more money into a modernisation programme across Wales.

"Swansea Council needs to identify millions of pounds more than it currently has available to deliver this programme," said Mr. Black. "With the fall in property prices they no longer have the option of selling off assets to do it. The Welsh Assembly Government has an unallocated capital fund of £400 million and a commitment to make all schools fit for purpose. They need to put their money where their mouth.

"My concern is that without an additional capital injection from the Assembly Government then the Council will be unable to deliver the QED programme within a reasonable timescale."