Council remains committed to Berwick school rebuild despite funding concerns
Northumberland County Council insists it remains committed to rebuilding Berwick Academy.
It comes after independent councillor for Berwick East, Georgina Hill said she was “anxious” about the future of the £50 million project.
The council is seeking a £12 million contribution from the Government for the rebuilding scheme, which is the amount needed to bring the current school up to standard. However, the Government is yet to confirm this funding.
Cllr Hill’s concerns came after an annual report on the county’s education department at last week’s meeting of full council. The report mentioned the reorganisation of schools in the partnership twice, but made no reference to the Berwick Academy rebuild project.
Cllr Hill asked for reassurance that “the capital programme hasn’t been cancelled”, that the council was “not match funding what the Government has provided, which is zero”, and that “it is still happening”.
After the meeting she said: “There has been all this delay since my budget motion back in 2021 and increasing talk of the council’s financial pressures.
"Call me suspicious-minded, but the delays, the wording of this report and reference only to school reorganisation, which has been completed, makes me anxious.
“If this does not appear or is pushed back several more years in the proposed council budget for February it would be a terrible betrayal of our town and children. I sincerely hope my fear is misplaced.”
Cabinet member for education, Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, has said the scheme remains in the council’s capital programme and was a “priority” for the Conservative administration at county hall.
He said: “The council is still committed to the build, which is what I said at full council. We continue to press the Department for Education for their full contribution to the project.”
The current Berwick Academy building is beset by issues including leaking roofs and black mould. The rebuild would follow new secondary schools built in towns across Northumberland over recent years, including Hexham, Ponteland, Seaton Valley and Amble.
Plans for the new school have already been approved, but the Government funding remains a major point of contention. The council has applied for cash through the competitive Schools Rebuilding Programme, but this is yet to be confirmed.