It is estimated that about £50m will be ploughed in over the next 14 years to bring Hartlepool's primary schools up to modern-day standards under the Government's Primary Capital Programme (PCP).

The options are wide-ranging and include closing some schools, reducing or increasing school sizes and building new ones.



An information pack including details of how to get involved was sent to parents of primary school pupils last month and every household in the town was sent an information leaflet.

Councillor Cath Hill, Hartlepool Council's cabinet member for children's services and chairman of the schools transformation project board, said: "This is a massive opportunity to transform our primary schools. But I stress again that no decisions have been made – there is a range of possible options and we need to know what people think of them.

"I am delighted by the response so far. But I would urge anyone who has not yet given their views – or who has further questions - to come along to next week's meeting.

"I have also received a number of letters personally and these will be considered along with all the other responses when the project board meets in September.

"The board is then likely to recommend that the Cabinet approves further consultation on revised options and draft proposals towards the end of 2008." The investment programme is expected to start in 2009 and in the first two years alone, Hartlepool has been allocated £8.4m.

The last of the 23 public consultation meetings is on Tuesday, July 22, in the Town Hall Theatre in Raby Road at 5.30pm.

For more information, contact the school transformation team on 01429 523754 or via e-mail to pcp@hartlepool.gov.uk