Sheffield schools have a backlog of repairs costing £45 million – which would take more than a decade to fix.
The overdue maintenance is for 66 school buildings which are looked after by the council, academies are not included.
A report says: “Existing resources of around £3m annually are largely absorbed by reactive maintenance and essential programs such as fire risk.
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“Using current allocations it would take the council more than 12 years to fully implement lifecycle maintenance.”
The demand will fall as more schools transfer to become academies but there are “significant challenges” with the condition of schools.
The council is prioritizing repairs on a ‘worst first’ basis and bundles them together wherever possible to maximize efficiency. It will also continue to lobby the Department for Education for more money.
Recent school repairs include:
Abbey Lane School
The combined heat and power unit that serves the school extension broke down.
A report says: “A specialist engineer visited and found a major engine failure with the unit beyond repair.
“A back-up boiler is operating but is not fit for purpose, it does not heat the building adequately or heat the water to statutory temperature.”
A new boiler and replacement heating system will be installed.
Halfway Infants School
The school office needs refurbishing.
A report says: “The whole building is in an extremely poor condition with extensive decay to the timber wall panels, framework, timber window cases and external fire door resulting from water ingress.”
Broomhill Infants
The heating has significant problems and is at the end of its life. A new system will be installed.
Abbey Lane Primary
A structural inspection of the ceiling slabs revealed problems with roof planks in the 1960s extension above 12 rooms.
A report says: “The useful life of these planks has been estimated to be around 30 years and pre-1980s planks are now past their expected service life.”
The council will look at replacing the planks over the next four years.
Broomhall Nursery
A well in the basement overflows and floods during heavy rainfall causing damp, wet rot and an insect infestation.
Remedial works are being carried out.
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