NEWPORT council tur-ned down a plea to pledge cash from a special £9m pot to rebuild dilapidated Durham Road schools, a meeting of the authority heard.

Instead, the wait to replace the sub-standard buildings will go on as the council hopes to seal a deal with a developer, the Newport full council meeting, heard this week.

The Assembly gave Newport council the cash to spend on the city's school buildings over a period of ten years, the council meeting was told.

The Argus reported earlier this week how part of that fund will be needed to go towards replacing fire-hit Rogerstone Primary School. It is estimated that a total of £7 million will be needed to rebuild the school.

Councillor Alan Perry, representing St Julians, asked the cabinet at a meeting of Newport council if some of the millions could be set aside to either rebuild or repair Durham Road Infant and Junior schools.

Both schools have been mark-ed as 'priority rebuilds' for over 15 years and conditions have since slid to a level branded 'Victorian' and 'unhealthy' by inspectors. Plans for new schools at the controversial Glebelands site - a former tip - have been plagued with delays.

In the meantime minor accidents in the yard have increased because of overcrowding and an uneven surface.

During the Easter holidays a ceiling at the junior school collapsed, and in July the Argus reported how headteacher Jeff Beecher was sick of waiting for improvements.

Council leader Sir Harry Jones told the meeting: "There's a great deal of pressure being brought by ward councillors on this issue. At times it becomes unbearable in our inability to respond.

"The original contractor has now gone and we are talking with the second preferred bidder. I cannot add anything to that. We are still hopeful of achieving a PFI (private finance initiative) bid."

Councillor Perry said after the meeting: "The wait is going on too long. This £9m is a great opportunity - mainly to provide a new build, and, if not, for repairs that are essential."

The council said in May it was looking at making essential repairs in the summer break.