HIGH-ranking officers at County Hall have been called to account over the unreasonable time it has taken to build proper maths and science classrooms and dining facilities for pupils at Lytchett Minster School.

Five years after arsonists lit a fire that ripped through the secondary school destroying large parts, pupils are still having their lessons in 30 temporary and leaking classrooms as well as having nowhere to eat their lunch.

Senior officers and members at Dorset County Council are due to meet at the school tomorrow to answer questions on why building plans still have not reached the planning application stage and what can be done to quickly solve these problems.

Chairman of the audit and scrutiny review panel Cllr Trevor Jones, who requested that members and officers be called to account, will also ask what lessons can be learned from the project to avoid such difficulties occurring again.

Senior officials expected to be at the meeting include the leader of the council Cllr Timothy Palmer, Cllr Angus Campbell, former cabinet member for education but now environment, and John Surowiec representing the director of children's services.

The chair of governors at the school, Ray Griffin, said: "The purpose of the meeting is to examine what has happened and attempt to find a way forward in terms of the council's management of this building project.

"We are hopeful for a positive outcome for the school but at this stage it is impossible to say if this will be the case. All we want is a new building which is fit for its purpose and a decent social space for our pupils."

Designs for the £10million-plus maths/science and humanities block and dining facilities have stumbled because of size constraints on the site coupled with the school's listed manor house and grounds, nearby protected trees, and the educational needs of the pupils.

First published: November 8