TOP councillors were today discussing the faltering scheme to rebuild or replace special schools across Kirklees.

Kirklees Cabinet members are to meet in private to resolve the so-called Public Private Partnership 2 project after work ground to a halt at the site of the proposed new Newsome special school.

Contractors Totty downed tools in July and left the Newsome Road South site.

Work began at the end of June, but all machinery and portable buildings then quickly disappeared in a move agreed with the council.

The stoppage was due to delays in signing a contract between the council and troubled building firm Jarvis.

Last month, Kirklees Council bosses confirmed that the troubled support services group Jarvis was still the preferred partner for the contract to build special schools.

They spoke out after a Scottish council cancelled a £175m schools deal with Jarvis.

Fife Council made the decision after Jarvis announced yearly losses of £246.7m.

Jarvis was chosen to build the Newsome special school, plus three others in Kirklees, in a £25m scheme.

The Newsome school was due to be finished by next June, so children could move in by September.

It will cater for 108 children aged three to 19, replacing Turnshaws at Kirkburton and Highfields at Edgerton, which are to close next July.

Work is continuing at the adjoining Newsome High School and Sports College. Contractors are improving the sports fields in a project worth tens of thousands of pounds.