ESSEX County Council has confirmed it will sign funding agreements with the Department for Education (DfE) to recover around £6.5 million for its work supporting schools affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

In August 2023, changes to DfE policy required urgent action at school buildings containing RAAC. Essex was one of the counties disproportionately affected by RAAC, with a total of 62 schools impacted.

Eight schools had RAAC fully removed including Jerounds Primary Academy.

Thanks to strong fiscal management, Essex County Council was able to take responsibility for funding mitigation works across all affected schools. This allowed works to get underway immediately and helped minimise disruption to children’s education.

The council has spent around £6 million on RAAC mitigation, with total costs expected to reach £6.5 million by the end of the financial year.

This funding was used to undertake building works, secure alternative temporary accommodation and provide transport to other school sites.

The council has been working with the DfE to prepare the funding agreements that when signed will see the council reimbursed for this expenditure.

Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “”I’m pleased the current government has confirmed the funding arrangement we initially set out with their predecessors.

“Essex County Council acted swiftly and decisively to support schools affected by RAAC, ensuring children could return to safe, face-to-face learning environments as quickly as possible.

“Throughout this process, our priority has remained the safety and education of every child in Essex. Thanks to sound financial planning, we were able to provide the necessary support to schools across the county.

“I want to thank our teams, headteachers, and school staff for their dedication. Their efforts have made a real difference.”

Essex County Council was commended for its approach on RAAC by the then Secretary of State, who visited the county and praised the response.

Note