Tesco cash offer 'is driving force'

The city council claimed in its closing submission that Worcestershire County Council was backing the switch from St John's to Rushwick only because Tesco has agreed to pay for the work by buying the old site.

The county council was accused yesterday by Michael Bedford, representing the city council, of not having enough money in place to pay for the relocation without being bankrolled by the supermarket.

"It is clear from the policy position established by the executive committee and endorsed by the full council that it was the financial advantage of achieving the new school 'at no cost to the council' which determined the choice made," he said.

Mr Bedford accused the county of offering "inadequate scrutiny" for justifying the move and said it had taken part in "substantial exaggeration" of the present site's shortcomings.

He criticised claims from the school's headmaster, Neil Morris, and the county's head of education policy, David Weeden, who talked of the decrepit current Chrissies site.

Defended

"If the evidence of Mr Weeden and Mr Morris was accepted at face value, the conditions at Christopher Whitehead School are so bad that it is a scandal that it remains open even a day longer," said Mr Bedford.

John Hobson QC, representing the county council, defended the case for the relocation reaffirming that the council argues there is a "compelling" educational reason for the change.

He said problems over flooding at off-site sports pitches, access for the disabled at the school and the design of building caused problems.

He said he accepted that the Rushwick site "is less acceptable in transport terms" but that "strenuous steps" would be taken to encourage pupils to walk, cycle or take the bus to school rather than car.

A verdict from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is expected into the two-week inquiry in August.

The school at the heart of the inquiry