An extra £200,000 is to be spent improving schools across Powys over the next 12 months.

Powys County Council has said it plans to carry out a range of repairs, refurbishment and upgrading works on schools.

The work will help support the Schools Modernisation Programme, which is aimed to assist the authority in making all its schools fit for purpose as required by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Members of Powys County Council’s board heard yesterday the authority usually allocated £2 million for the programme.

Alan Bates, council schools officer said: “This year we have had to allocate an extra £200,000 for the programme because the need was identified for enhanced provision for the upgrading of primary school fire alarm systems and for the undertaking of remedial works arising for the fixed electrical testing programme.”

Councillor David Jones, board member for schools and inclusion, said: “I think this will help address the backlog we have with regards to the repair of schools.”

Work planned includes improving the boiler and heating system at Newtown High School, refurbishing the toilets at Ardwyn Infants School in Welshpool, improving drainage at Llanfair Caereinion Primary School and upgrading the nursery heating at Llanidloes Primary School.