JUST to set the record straight about the use of the Fulford Cross site.

Unfortunately, City of York Council does not have £3 million hidden in its coffers to rebuild a new centre on the site.

What we do have is a small amount of funding that could bring the present building up to a satisfactory standard for occupation by the Pupil Referral Unit and a team of outreach workers, alongside the Bridge Project, which supports young people who are experiencing difficulties in mainstream education and provides chances for work-related training.

These are successful centres that have received good reports from Ofsted and the opportunity to expand their work would be welcomed.

To do the job fully and make a first rate, well-equipped skills centre to take us forward into the future we need more funding than we have.

Our bid will be re-submitted to the Department for Education and we hope the Government will look kindly on us in the next round. Meanwhile, we shall work to take our plans forward with the resources available.

Coun Carol Runciman,

Executive member for education,

Plainville Lane,

Wigginton, York.

Updated: 10:56 Wednesday, March 17, 2004