COUNCIL chiefs are looking to appoint companies to carry out extension work at Llanilar and Comins Coch primary schools as part of a bid to win Welsh Government funding.

Ceredigion County Council has insisted that both schools urgently need extensions as the current school premises are “not fit for purpose” with pupils having to be taught in the school hall in Llanilar and some music lessons having to be done in a corridor in Comins Coch.

But the authority has said it needs Welsh Government funding of over £400,000 to help meet the overall cost of the schemes with the council prepared to match the Welsh Government grant.

Council Cabinet members heard on Tuesday that to be granted funding from the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme, a tender process to find a company to carry out the building work must be carried out.

Resource manager Nia James said: “Design, production information and tender preparation work is currently ongoing on both projects with a view to commencing work on site early 2018 as programmed. This element of the project is being funded by the council.

“In accordance with the requirements of the Welsh Government funding strategy, a business justification case (BJC) must be submitted by the council and approved by Welsh Government prior to confirmation of the grant award.

“The BJC must include the value of the successful tender, which contributes to the Welsh Government decision making process when awarding 21st Century Schools grants."

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