Designs drawn up for new schools

CONTRACTOR Balfour Beatty Education has been chosen to carry out the multi-million-pound overhaul of Oldham’s crumbling secondary schools.

Oldham Council’s Cabinet formally approved the decision on Friday, announcing that the company had pipped Equity Solutions at the post for what could potentially be a £170 million deal.

Designs were being drawn up today for the borough’s new Roman Catholic school and the refurbishment of North Chadderton School. Planning applications for the two schools are expected to be submitted in July, with work on the two sites starting in January, 2011.

The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme was due to bring £170 million into Oldham in a scheme which would see every secondary school pupil taught in a new or refurbished school by 2014.

The advent of the new coalition Government and tough action to reduce the country’s soaring national debt has thrown funding for major schemes across the country up in the air.

But work will continue on Oldham’s ambitious schools rebuilding programme until officials are told otherwise.

The council said final bids from the two companies were submitted in May for close scrutiny by the council to find the best deal overall.

Councillor Jack Hulme, Cabinet member for children and families, said: “I am delighted to confirm Balfour Beatty as our preferred bidder for the BSF programme.

“It is to the credit of both bidders that they put together strong consortia and took part in what was a very challenging and competitive dialogue with us. The BSF programme is currently under review as the Government examines its spending priorities.

“Pending any decision on that, we are simply continuing to proceed responsibly as a local authority with our plans to ensure that our BSF programme is in an advanced position to potentially secure funding.”

A delighted Ian Tyler, Balfour Beatty chief executive, said: “We look forward to developing a Local Education Partnership (LEP) with the council and delivering excellent design and value for the schools and their communities within Oldham’s programme.”