A £500,000 school extension project, at Llangattock Church in Wales School, first proposed six years ago, is still not finished and has been branded a “shambles.”

At a full meet of Powys County Council to be held today (Thursday) Liberal Democrat County Councillor Jackie Charlton for Llangattock will be asking for answers as to why the project is so far behind schedule.

Councillor Charlton said, “The project has been a shambles from beginning to end and no-one is taking responsibility

“There could be long term implications for Powys County Council partnerships with builders and contractors on school premises.

The angry councillor has asked the county’s education chief, Councillor Myfanwy Alexander if she knows if there is a clear process for project management, accountability and responsibility for joint build projects in our schools where Kier and Heart of Wales Property Services (HOWPS) work in partnership with the Education Department here in Powys?”

Councillor Alexander has admitted that management of the project has not been successful and that “lessons will be learnt”.

Project discussions on the extension and alterations at Llangattock Church in Wales Primary School started six years ago.

It has cost just over £500,00 with £120,000 being contributed by the Church in Wales and a Llangattock based Education Trust.

The work was supposed to be finished by September 2018 but despite assurances the project is still unfinished.

Nursery children have been taught in the Community Hall next to the school while the extension was being built.

Councillor Charlton said, “The biggest issue for Llangattock Governors is the lack of accountability, no line of responsibility and shambolic project management with no-one knowing who takes on the role of these important tasks.”

“The headteacher is there to run the school, but in light of the poor project management has been expected to manage some aspects of the project, particularly in terms of health and safety and safeguarding, which has taken up an inordinate amount of time and put excessive pressure and stress on all members of the school community.

Councillor Alexander said, “The work has now been substantially completed and the contractor, Kier, are in the process of carrying out final minor completion works which we anticipate being completed over the next couple of weeks.

“The authority, HOWPS and Kier have robust project management systems with clear governance and accountability.

However, it is wholly apparent that these systems have not been successful in managing this particular project.

“We will be reviewing this project to ensure that lessons are learnt and improvements are made where required.

“I can only apologise for our collective performance at Llangattock, but can I also thank Kathryn Marshall, the headteacher, for the valuable contribution that she has, unfortunately, had to make to ensure that the works are completed and the school operational.”