Academy plan talks ‘positive’

OLDHAM Council bosses have returned hopeful after a meeting with Government chiefs as they battle to salvage the borough’s multi-million pound academies scheme.

Council leader Howard Sykes and Councillor Jack Hulme, cabinet member for children and young families, launched a joint rescue bid after Oldham’s plans to overhaul its secondary schools fell victim to cutbacks.

The politicians took part in top-level talks at the Local Government Association Conference in Bournemouth.

They had planned to speak to Schools Secretary Michael Gove, but a delay in his arrival meant they had to catch a plane back to Manchester before the meeting could take place.

Instead, they met Local Government Minster Eric Pickles, in what Councillor Hulme called a “lengthy and positive meeting.”

He said: “It seemed to go reasonably well, but no-one is committing themselves one way or the other at the moment.”

The pair were lobbying for the go- ahead of a scheme which would see Oldham get three new academy buildings, which are due to be completed in 2012-13.

They also pressed for cash to refurbish North Chadderton School and to build the new Catholic secondary school in Broadway.

All five were in the first of three phases which would have seen £266 million spent on overhauling all the borough’s crumbling secondary schools.

But the plans were halted after last week’s announcement by the Government that it was pulling the plug on the £55 billion Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme to replace or refurbish every secondary school in England.

Councillor Hulme said: “Mr Pickles left in no doubt whatsoever about our concern that we at least have the three academies, North Chadderton School refurbished, and a new Catholic secondary school.

“We don’t think there is much chance of getting phases two and three off the ground, but if we manage to get phase one it will go some way towards what we need.”

Councillor Hulme also had “detailed discussions” with Bob Neill, Minister for Communities and Local Government.

Councillor Hulme said: “He promised to take notice of my concerns and will be raising them in the appropriate area.”