Worcestershire County Council warned against making ‘dash for County Hall cash’
Cabinet members are set to agree a plan to sell the land later this week
Council bosses are being urged not to make a “dash for cash” by selling off County Hall.
Worcestershire County Council says building a school on its crumbling HQ is financially unviable and cabinet members are set to agree a plan to sell the land later this week.
But opposition councillors say the Spetchley Road site should be used to tackle the shortage of secondary school places in Worcester.
They fear children will face long bus journeys to schools in Pershore and Malvern unless the council builds a new school.
The council’s corporate and communities overview and scrutiny panel is asking cabinet to hold off making a decision on County Hall until February, when a full sufficiency paper comes before cabinet.
Cllr Andrew Cross said: “We are at a fork in the road here. The County Hall site is an exceptionally valuable land resource.
“There is a risk that if we make a short-term dash for cash, that may not even come in time to save us from financial peril.”
He said the council can’t ignore “wider societal needs”, adding: “The one thing we can’t build more of is land.
“We have an opportunity to use this site and the neighbouring former school site off Newtown Road for purposes that will give a lasting benefit for residents.”
He also suggested converting a primary school in Worcester to add secondary school places
The committee heard that Bishop Perowne is the only high school in Worcester willing and able to expand.
Education chief Dr Stephen Foster said he was still talking to city schools about expansion “to avoid, where possible, the bussing of children outside of their catchment areas”.
Rob Wharton, cabinet member for finance, said: “In terms of the County Hall site, it’s just a straightforward decision to get the best financial outcome for the council, and that’s to sell.”
Councillors expressed fears that thousands of new homes being built in the county – including 10,000 at Worcestershire Parkway – would add further strain to secondary school places in the county.
Rachel Kiernan, group manager for education sufficiency, said: “We take into account all planned and approved housing in all districts.”
Cllr Natalie McVey said the council’s decision not to build a new school at Newtown Road was “shortsighted and potentially catastrophic for the life chances of our young people”.
Cllr Dan Boatright-Greene asked: “Do we actually have the school places to make sure everyone gets the best possible education?”
And Cllr Alan Bailes said: “Where’s the strategy? It’s all ‘let’s get rid of it, let’s get the money’.”
Cllr Foster said: “We have planned ahead and we do meet requirements. There is no requirement to build a new school.”
Cllr Karen May suggested the cost of building a new school would be cheaper in the long-run to build school than the annual cost of home to school transport.
Cllr Adam Kent said: “I don’t think this has been thought through. This is total madness – why are we not building this school on County Hall?”
Cllr Matt Jenkins said building a school at County Hall would be the “best option long-term for residents”.