Moves to pump £4.6 million of funding into Telford schools have been backed by councillors.

The spending will include £60,000 on installing fly screens in the kitchens of 28 Telford primary schools and £120,000 on removing asbestos. Members of Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet last night approved the authority’s 2011/12 capital programme for schools.

The £4.6 million proposed spending is a £1.2 million reduction since 2010 because of Government cutbacks.

Among the schools to benefit would be Donnington Wood CE Junior Schools, which would get £100,000 for roof repairs.

A report to the cabinet said the school had been shut in the past because of roof leaks. The work will be undertaken in phases over three years.

Of the installation of fly screens, the report said: “Following occupational health inspections and the need to address a serious problem of insect infestation in a number of school kitchens, further funding is required in 2011/2012 in order to meet the required health and safety standard.”

A grant of £140,000 will also be spent at Moorfield Primary School in Newport to tackle the leaking roof and put in insulation, while £722,000 would be spent at Newdale Primary to “provide class base extensions” in order to meet statutory obligations regarding the provision of pupil spaces.

The report adds: “In addition there is a serious parking problem both off-site and on the school premises which can only be resolved through the provision of additional parking places.”

The programme also includes funds to undertake essential health and safety work, replacement boiler schemes and replacement of large items of heavy duty kitchen equipment.

The report said: “The council has a statutory duty to address serious health and safety priorities and funding has been identified in the programme to undertake essential asbestos removal work, replacement boiler schemes and the replacement of large items of heavy duty kitchen equipment, as well as undertaking demountable class base and roof replacement schemes.”

It adds: “The provision of new build, remodelled and well-maintained buildings ensures that council services are delivered efficiently and with service continuity.”

By Lisa Rowley