Essex County Council, a repeat customer of Urban Space Products, has done what many in today’s climate are finding impossible: refunded slashed school budgets from council coffers.
Deanes and Glenwood schools had previously been victims of the government’s cancellation of the £55 billion Building Schools for the future (BSF) project. This meant that millions that had been allocated to the schools for rebuilds, renovation and repairs was suddenly withdrawn, with little hope of replacement funds.
Yet the Council has been successful in finding £23 million to combine the two aging schools in new local premises. The news has been greeted by celebrations from both pupils and staff.
A planned £1.5m nursery to go alongside Deanes school was also cut, but the council stepped in provided funds there, too.
Stephen Castle, the County Councillor for Education, said: “We are working to find ways to complete the projects other schools were working on.
“We are putting a lot of pressure on [Education Secretary] Michael Gove to fund some of the other projects.”
Essex County Council continues to work alongside Urban Space Products for shelters and storage solutions for their new builds and renovations.