Urgent repairs are on the horizon for Neath Port Talbot schools, with a staggering £66m needed to address a maintenance backlog. The situation was discussed at a recent council meeting, where it emerged that 44 schools—41 primary and 3 secondary—are in category C, indicating major repairs are needed within the next three years. With just £1.2m annually allocated for these fixes, it’s a race against time to keep these schools running smoothly.
The council’s Strategic School Improvement Programme (SSIP) is at the helm, overseeing crucial projects like window and door replacements, roofing works, and toilet refurbishments among others. While the SSIP has already driven £200m of investment, including significant new projects like the Llangatwg Community School build and Ysgol Maes y Coed extensions, the need for a greater budget is clear.
Facing a funding challenge, council officers are actively engaged in condition assessments as part of a rolling programme, with plans to bring a new surveyor on board to enhance efforts. The council remains committed, despite financial constraints, to maintaining and improving school facilities for the community.
Stay tuned for updates on how this essential work progresses, as Neath Port Talbot strives to provide the best environment for its students. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!