THE fight for funding to rebuild a run-down Poole school continues after councillors voted to defer the decision on plans to divert £8million.

The money had been allocated to rebuilding Hillbourne School. But plans to use it instead to provide extra school places in areas with a rising birth rate came before the full council on Tuesday.

However, after a wave of protest from parents, the decision was deferred for proper scrutiny, thanks to a proposal by Creekmoor councillor Judy Butt, which was seconded and backed by fellow ward councillors John Rampton and Leslie Burden.

The Primary Capital Programme report, addressing the funding issues, will now go before the children’s services overview and scrutiny committee within the next three weeks.

Cllr Judy Butt told the Echo it was felt the matter had been pushed through “with rude haste” and needed to go through the proper scrutiny processes.

“This is to ensure that all parties, especially parents, governors and staff of Hillbourne School are given a chance to ask questions and give evidence.”

The matter, and the committee’s recommendations, will then go before an emergency one-item full council meeting where it can be “debated in detail” added Cllr Butt.

The proposal is to spend the money expanding eight other schools in the district to provide places for 150 children in areas with a growing birth rate.

Cllr Butt added: “The parents need to be able to see the breakdown – what is the money being spent on – is it classrooms, or is it a sports hall?

“We need to ascertain the cost and if there are any savings to provide for Hillbourne School.”