HOPES are growing that West Devon schools could cash in on a new multi-million pound boost to county council funds, announced by the government last week.
The money, £26-million over the next three years, is being used to modernise ageing school buildings in Devon.
Tavistock College and Okehampton College are among those being considered for improvements on their campuses — D-Day on which schools receive money will come when the county council's executive committee meets on February 12.
The money is in addition to the £10-million increase announced before Christmas, which will provide for extra school places to cope with growing pupil rolls.
West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett said he was increasingly cofident that there would be good news for the colleges and for a new primary school for Okehampton. 'It is desperately needed as the present one is overcrowded,' he said.
'Over the last two years we have managed to persuade Government ministers of the huge neglect that has been suffered by Devon schools. We are now beginning to get our fair share of investment.'
Tony Smith, the county council's director of education, arts and libraries, said: 'We welcome this announcement of new money for schools.'
He said he was hopeful the announcement of more money would mean the council could tackle the highest priority cases for investment.
A further £1.8-million will be available under the Seed Challenge project. This enables schools to raise money locally, working in partnership with the county to make best use of cash available for improvement projects.
Mr Smith said: 'We are very eager to work in partnership with our schools and their local communities to make the most effective use of the Seed Challenge allocation.'
Kate Palmer, the council's executive chairman for lifelong learning, was hopeful the backlog of modernisation work to Devon's schools would be helped by the funding.
'We are making considerable inroads into reducing the number of temporary Horsa huts and replacing temporary and inadequate accommodation with specialist accommodation, particularly in science and technology,' she said, while admitting there was 'still a lot to be done'.