Tendring District Council (TDC) has given its full support to efforts to secure vital funding for a village primary school.
Mistley Norman C of E Primary School has been forced to close its buildings after the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete – a 1960s material which can collapse without warning.
Pupils are currently being bussed to another school three miles away, but with no funding currently available to repair or replace the existing buildings, children faced a 20-mile round trip to alternative provision from Autumn.
At full council last night (Tuesday, 11 July), TDC councillors unanimously voted in favour of a motion offering its support to efforts to secure funding for repair or re-building works.
The motion noted the current situation, including an estimated £1.9 million cost for the necessary works, and the level of planned growth already established in the area with approved planning applications.
It requested that the Leader and Cabinet Member for Partnerships, alongside the Chief Executive, work with colleagues including the local MP and Essex County Council to ensure the Vine School Trust secures funding to carry out the necessary repairs, or to demolish the current building and replace it with a fit for purpose sustainable new structure. It also gave support to safeguarding the newly-built pre-school on site, which is not affected.
Speaking after the meeting Councillor Mark Stephenson, TDC Leader, said: “I was pleased to see this motion brought forward by ward councillors and for the unanimous support it received from across the council chamber.
“I, and my Cabinet colleagues, will work to deliver on this motion by providing our full support to efforts to secure suitable funding for this school – which not only plays a vital role in the Mistley community now, but we hope will continue to do so for generations to come.”
The full text of the motion – which was proposed by Councillor Carlo Guglielmi, seconded by Councillor Terry Barrett and received cross-party support – can be found on the agenda to the meeting on the TDC website here: https://tdcdemocracy.tendringdc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=130&MId=2164.
A live stream of the meeting can be watched back on the TDC YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/live/65k_KAkdkGI?feature=share.