Selling off 'surplus' schools in Leighton-Linslade could help fund switch to two-tier education
Some schools in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade could be sold off eventually and help pay for a local authority’s schools transition programme, a meeting heard.
But councillors expressed frustration over a lack of information on the plans for the switch.
Funding options are being analysed by Central Bedfordshire Council, as part of its school organisation plan for 2026 to 2031 to include plans to progress a switch to a primary and secondary school model across the district.
In Leighton Buzzard and Linslade, “talks with schools and trusts have supported agreements on the overall approach”, a meeting of the council’s children’s services overview and scrutiny committee was told by Independent Flitwick councillor Gareth Mackey.
Conservative Heath and Reach councillor Mark Versallion, who chairs the committee, explained: “The uniqueness (of this cluster) is we have Section 106 (developer contribution) monies for Leighton Buzzard.
“There are several millions of pounds to be spent on primary schools. It’s reasonable to deduce we’ll have some surplus lower school stock, of which two or three could eventually be sold off and pay for the conversion to secondary and primary.”
Councillor Mackey replied: “Our cost modelling takes into account Section 106 contributions and land sales. It’s a significant amount of money even taking those into account.”
Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Steve Owen said: “It’s good there’s a plan, albeit for the (benefit of the) Department for Education.
“When I was the portfolio holder not so long ago, there was considerable officer reluctance for producing an overall plan for three- to two-tier transition.
“I was about to reveal the identity of pyramid number one in January this year. Ten months on, we still have no announced first pyramid. Ultra caution has been a big problem, from the academy trusts and from our council officers.
“Announce the first pyramid to transition and the reluctant trusts will see the train is leaving the station and will clamour to get a seat. The Leighton Buzzard and Linslade schools, we’re told, know about the plan and are happy with it.
“Local councillors don’t know anything about it. That’s an insupportable position. When are we going to be told? Shortly the school governors and parents will find information trickling down to them information which we aren’t privy to, and that’s simply intolerable.
“The trusts all have capital resources. One of the factors about the whole negotiation is whether we can persuade the trusts to bring to the table capital resource that we don’t have.”
Executive member for children and families councillor Mackey replied: “I said we would ask the trusts and academies to bring some funding, as well.
“Any ward councillors wanting me to speak to them then I’m ready to talk, as long as it’s a sub rosa discussion. I’ve been quite candid.”
Councillor Mackey hopes to have a significant update by a meeting of CBC’s executive in December. “Those that have fears bring them to us,” he said.
“The council has workable plans for every area and it’s getting the final bit of consensus to do that. Constructive dialogue with trusts has strengthened the proposals in Harlington and Redbourn.”