David Smith criticizes the slow progress on new Berwick Academy buildings, expressing frustration over the council’s lack of action.
Berwick: So, there’s been some drama brewing in Northumberland. MP David Smith is really frustrated with the local council about the new buildings for Berwick Academy. He’s calling their progress “slow” and “frustrating.”
Even though council officials say they’ve made strides, there’s still no construction happening. It’s been almost four years since they promised funding for a new school, but they’ve mostly just been chatting with locals about the education system.
Now, they’re planning to switch to a two-tier system, which means some middle schools will close. Parents are feeling the heat, and local councillor Georgina Hill has been vocal about the council letting down the kids.
David Smith, who just got elected in July, brought this up in Parliament while discussing rural services. He pointed out how crucial the secondary school is for Berwick’s economy. If the school struggles, the whole town feels it.
He believes Berwick deserves a top-notch educational campus that combines everything from vocational studies to healthcare. So, the slow pace of the council’s plans is really getting under his skin, and he’s not alone in feeling this way.
On the other side, the council is pushing back. Guy Renner-Thompson, the education cabinet member, said it’s not surprising that a new MP doesn’t get how much work goes into changing the education system and rebuilding a school.
He mentioned that the council isn’t legally required to do anything for the Academy but is still committed to building great facilities for the community. He also accused Smith of trying to take credit for the project without convincing his London colleagues to chip in.
The council insists they’ve been working hard on school investments in the area. They’re putting over £50 million into schools in North Northumberland, showing they care about the town and its young people.
They’re also in talks with the Department for Education about funding for Berwick Academy. It seems like there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, but the public is still waiting for some visible progress.
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