A SERIES of meetings are to take place in York to give the public information about controversial plans to use private funding to build three primary schools.

Hob Moor, St Barnabas' and St Oswald's primary schools, in York, are all set to be rebuilt under the government's Private Funding Initiative scheme.

The PFI scheme works like a mortgage, with the council borrowing money from private firms to pay for the building of the schools. The money is then paid back over a number of years.

At Hob Moor School, Acomb, the existing building will be replaced, and alongside school facilities, there will be an early years centre for children up to five years old, a creche, a family centre and a primary special education needs school.

At St Barnabas', in Leeman Road, a new school will be built on a fresh site behind St Barnabas' Church. It will include a nursery and facilities that can be used by the public.

At St Oswald's, Fulford, the building will be replaced on the same site with a new school which will include a nursery, library, and a parish meeting room.

The scheme has caused widespread concern and has resulted in the resignation of three parish councillors in Fulford.

One Fulford resident, John Heawood, is so concerned that many people do not know the implications of the PFI scheme that he has set up the York PFI Watch.

John has joined forces with other interested residents along with Robert Briggs, who resigned from Fulford Parish Council over the issue, to provide information on all aspects of the scheme.

He said: "We think all York citizens should be fully aware of this PFI scheme before its details are made final so that they can judge the pros and the cons for themselves and help to get the best deal possible for our schools."

Residents will be able to find out more about the scheme at the three meetings which will include a presentation and an opportunity to ask questions.

The PFI project manager for the City of York Council, Damon Copperthwaite, said it was extremely important local people came along to the meetings and gave their input.

He said: "We have decided in terms of the level of services but how we provide them has not been decided.

"We want to know from local residents what they think and what concerns them to build it into the final project. Genuinely, we want to know what people think, this is about their community and about providing services for children and parents. The community have a right to contribute, shape and influence what happens there."

The meetings will take place at Hob Moor School, next Wednesday, November 6, at 7.30pm, at St Oswald's School on Thursday, November 14, at 7.30pm and at St Barnabas' Church, on Tuesday, November 19, at 7.30pm.

Updated: 09:54 Wednesday, October 30, 2002