£4.7 million investment for Prince Henry's (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

£4.7 million investment for Prince Henry's

September 15, 2006 9:57 PM

Leeds City Council finds money for urgent upgrades after Government turned funding approach down

Otley's Lib Dem Councillors, Colin Campbell, Graham Kirkland and Ryk Downes, are celebrating after the Council put forward proposals to spend over £4 million pounds on a new Science Block for Prince Henry's Grammar School.

Cllr Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said :- "This is great news. Prince Henry's was left behind by the previous administration, and then last year the Government refused funding under its 'Targetting Capital Fund' scheme. Since then I and my colleagues have been working with the Council and Education Leeds to try and find the money for urgent upgrades which the school requires. The school has raised £1.65 million pounds by the sale of the 'Newall' Annexe and the Council has allocated a further £3.08 million. This money will provide for the building of a new specialist science block which will cost a total of £4.74 million.

"Formal approval is expected to be granted by the Council's Executive Board next Wednesday (20th September). Included in the work will be eleven new science laboratories and preparation rooms along with office space and toilets, a total of 2,300 sq metres of additional accommodation. It is hoped that, after tendering processes, the work will start in February next year and be completed by the end of 2007."

Cllr Richard Harker, Lib Dem Executive Board Member for Learning said "I am really glad that we have been able to come up with this vital investment for Prince Henry's. The school has succeeded in providing a really excellent learning environment despite the urgent need for more investment, and with these new Laboratories it will go on from strength to strength.

"Obviously major building work like this will cause some disruption but we will schedule major works to take place in the school holidays. The temporary accommodation we provided to the School after the sale of the Newall 'Annex' will remain in place until the new block is ready for occupation."