ONE of Tamworth's top county bosses has vowed to make the town's voice heard as authorities battle to secure vital funding for their schools following the collapse of a multi-billion pound investment programme.

Tamworth is one of 123 councils vying for funding following the Government's decision to scrap the £55 billion Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme.

And this week Councillr Ian Parry, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said he would continue to fight for Tamworth to get its share of any available funding.

"It is very frustrating," explained Cllr Parry. "We were at the gate ready to go, everything was in place. In Tamworth we are in a very unique position. Building work has started here on the academy and post-16 centre. The implications are if we don't do something the long term effect will be detrimental.

"Tamworth was not selected as the first district in Staffordshire to benefit from the former Building Schools for the Future project by accident.

"It was identified because of a combination of academic attainment and poor school buildings.

"We are committed to ensuring money is found for Tamworth's schools and we will keep trying until it is."

Under the BSF programme for Tamworth, which was set to bring £100million worth of investment into the town, Woodhouse was to be transformed into a privately-run academy and a post-16 centre would be created to serve the whole borough, with existing sixth forms to be phased out.

Both were to be housed in new buildings.

Wilnecote, QEMS, Rawlett and Belgrave high schools, as well as Kettlebrook Short Stay School, were also due to undergo significant redevelopment.

Following the cancellation of BSF, the £65million academy and sixth form centre will go ahead as planned, with building work already started.

Investment in the town's remaining establishments now hangs on a knife edge.

Now the county is putting together its own redevelopment package at a reduced cost, which it will present to the Government next month.

Cllr Parry said Staffordshire County Council's proposals would not compromise on:

each school's ability to meet educational needs

each school's specialist provision

flexibility and new technology

statutory building regulations

security

multi-agency use