BSF
Byles: Blame EU for BSF bureaucracy
31 Aug 2010
The bureaucracy inherent in Building Schools for the Future (BSF) projects is a result of compliance with European Union (EU) rules rather than wasteful management of resources here in the UK, the man charged with delivering the programme has claimed, writes Dean Carroll.
The Building Schools for the Future [BSF]controversy has rumbled on and on in Stoke-on-Trent for some 6 years. It should have been a good, good news story, a win win for every family in the 6 Towns. But from the moment that the then Elected Mayor and Serco decided to stand in front of secondary pupils, their parents, their teachers and their headteachers and tell them what they were getting instead of asking them what they want, it all went belly-up! The Elected Mayors Board and Serco described
Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Tristram Hunt [Lab] is for the debate over Academy type schools to move from their governance to what is actually taught in them. In a letter to the Guardian Newspaper, Tristram highlights his concerns over the teaching of Science in academies being significantly lower than in council controlled schools. Stoke-on-Trent escaped the government cuts in the BSF programme and as a result 5 academy type schools will be built across the city.
The Secretary Of State for Education Michael Gove MP this afternoon announced sweeping cuts to the BSF program. In his statement to the house this evening Michael Gove confirmed what was widely expected, that any projects which are not at 'Financial Close' are suspended until after a review of the BSF program has been undertaken. Financial Close is the point where building has started or is due to start imminently.
Government Set To Announce BSF Cuts
05 Jul 2010
Education Secretary Michael Gove is set to announce later today that up to 700 Building Schools for the Future projects will be cut, in a move that is said will save the Education Department around £1billion a year for the next 5 years A Department for Education spokesman said, 'Ministers have been clear that BSF has not delivered good value for money and that the programme is beset by delays and red tape.' Stoke-on-Trent is using the BSF programme to rebuild the citys ageing high schools in wha
Stoke-on-Trent College is in dire financial straits. The Sentinel reports that the college finished last year £4.8 million in debt! The Skills Funding Agency has served the college with a financial notice to improve and is to monitor them regularly. The college plans a rapid restructuring to reduce its staffing budget by £4 million; 170 staff are at risk whilst only 60 have volunteered for redundancy.
I wrote the story “SOT Central Parliamentary Candidates Speak to CSAG” as impartially as I could, to be fair to the candidates. But here in this blog I will give you my views. If you don’t care to know then don’t read on.
Stoke-on-Trent Central parliamentary candidates attended an open Community Schools Action Group Meeting at Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre on the evening of April 28th.
Mervin Smith’s election leaflet, promoted by Mark Meredith, claims after all this time that labour locally want a school on the Mitchell site and another for Longton. After all these years driving forward plans to bulldoze Mitchell High School, Labour at the last minute change their tune in a desperate bid for support.
We have in Trentham received our first leaflet for the local election in May, from Alan Alcock the Libdem candidate. What spin with regard to the Libdems view of Trentham High School!
