Mel Stride MP has written to the administrators of the Department for Education Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) – which provides funding for capital maintenance projects within education - strongly urging them to support an application from Lapford Primary School. Bids are made to the CIF each year to keep education provider buildings safe and in good working order. This includes funding for projects that address health and safety issues, building compliance and poor building condition.
The application from Lapford Primary School is for funds to build a new permanent classroom with ancillary facilities to replace a now-condemned temporary classroom. The school has applied unsuccessfully in the past in anticipation of needing to move out, but following a recent visit from a structural engineer the temporary classroom has now been officially condemned due to rot in the floor-joists and wall support, causing the wall to bow by as much as two-and-a-half feet. The roof has also shifted.
Mr Stride, who has visited the school twice to view the classroom has written in support of previous applications, said:
“Lapford’s case for financial support is now unanswerable. This is an urgent problem with the affected children moving to yet another temporary classroom. The school must have the funding it needs for a purpose-built classroom so that pupils can continue their education.”
Local Mid Devon District Councillor Clive Eginton, who also wrote in support of the application, said:
“We really appreciate Mel’s support – the problems with the temporary classroom have been a disruption for long enough. Our school needs this problem addressed.”
Photo: Mel on a previous visit to Lapford Primary in 2018.
