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Residents in west Cumbria are being urged to have their say about plans for a possible £80 million investment in secondary school education.

Booklets are being sent to almost thirty thousand households this week giving initial information about the project.

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a national government funded programme which aims to modernise secondary schools throughout the country.

In Cumbria, this could potentially mean £80 million invested in six secondary schools in the west of the county to start 2013/14.

A second phase of around £100 million could then follow two or three years later to cover the remaining secondary schools in west Cumbria.

In the short term it’s about asking the public for their views about the proposals in principal.

The booklet ‘Can you help energise learning in West Cumbria?’ gives basic information about what’s proposed.

At the back of the booklet there’s a ‘have your say’ section which can be completed and returned by post.

Alternatively visit our website where there’s more information available at cumbria.gov.uk/cumbriabsf or email your comments to cumbriabsf@cumbria.cc.gov.uk.

The deadline for responses is Friday 5th December 2009.

Cumbria County Council is currently preparing its Readiness to Deliver report which will be considered by cabinet in December.

Cabinet will decide whether entering the programme is right for Cumbria.

If it agrees, central government will rule on whether the bid is successful.

Brenda Wile, Head of Service, Building Schools for the Future, Cumbria County Council, said:

"BSF gives us the chance to transform education to make Cumbrian schools fit for the 21st century. It’s not just about buildings, it’s about rethinking the way our children learn and the role schools have at the heart of the community."

Cllr Duncan Fairbairn, cabinet member responsible for schools and learning, Cumbria County Council, said:

"It’s still early stages but we want to know what people think. Such potential investments impact on entire communities. BSF could play an integral part in the development of young people of all ages in west Cumbria and we want the views of the public which will help us shape our future plans."

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337