Urgent repairs to leaky skylights which have left water pouring down walls near electrics at a Kingswood school are finally set to go ahead – but not until at least September.
South Gloucestershire Council opposition Labour group leader and Woodstock ward Cllr Pat Rooney told a cabinet meeting “promises were made but not kept” to fix the problems at Courtney Primary School.
But the authority is now agreeing a timetable of works with staff and contractors, beginning with upgrading the gutters over the summer holidays.
Conservative cabinet member for schools, skills and employment Cllr Erica Wililams admitted the delays were “extremely frustrating” but said talks were taking place at Courtney Primary this week (w/c Monday, July 13) to sort the issues.
Cllr Rooney told council leader Cllr Toby Savage at the cabinet meeting: “I sent you an urgent email on June 16 describing the seriousness of the school’s fabric with water running down walls and ceiling tiles throughout the school, against exposed pipes and gaping holes, and most dangerously the fact that the water pouring in was channelling near the electrics.
“As you know, Cllr Williams visited earlier in the year and was shown around all the problem areas inside and outside the building.
“Promises were made but not kept.
“So it seems the email I sent you has spurred you into action and we all now welcome the dialogue between Courtney Primary, the education department and School Improvements.
“Can I and Courtney Primary School have an assurance that all repairs will be carried out as soon as possible and a timetable provided so it will be fit for purpose to welcome back all the children in September?”
Cllr Williams replied: “It is extremely frustrating for the school but I have assurance that there is a timetable of work to be carried out.
“A health and safety consultant, along with property services and the education team, will be meeting at the school in the week commencing July 15.
“They will actually ensure that any works carried out can be carried out safely within term time where they can, like the guttering.
“Other aspects like the skylights do have to be looked into with regard to safety and having children in school as well as the teaching staff.
“But any temporary repairs will be discussed around the table.
“I am looking at this as a positive way forward to get all these issues resolved for Courtney Primary School.”
Cllr Savage told the remote meeting on Monday, July 6, that the council was reliant on the construction industry for school repairs but the sector had been significantly impacted by Covid-19, although the situation was now improving.
A council spokesperson said afterwards: “The council is working with Courtney Primary School to agree a programme of works to the gutters to start during the summer holiday period.
“The council is liaising with contractors and members of staff to agree a timeframe in respect of works to the skylights.”
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A Courtney Primary School spokesperson said: "We are very keen to get the skylight issue resolved as soon as possible and look forward to the meeting with the council this week when we hope to learn when the repairs can be made.
“We are so proud of our building and grounds, so it has been frustrating that the work to repair the skylights will not happen over the summer break.
“There have been a number of longstanding issues with weatherproofing on our roof and guttering, but not so much that have allowed them to detract from the way we work as a school.
“We were delighted to receive a really positive ‘Good’ Ofsted report in May 2019 and we are hugely ambitious for both the school’s and our pupils’ futures.”
