A county council must justify its decision to invest in a £52m schools programme after an objection to Prestatyn High being overlooked.

Cllr Paul Penlington (Prestatyn North ward) called in the decision of Denbighshire council’s cabinet to invest £15m in the programme, with the rest coming from grant funding.

He wants the plans, which are part of Band B of the 21st Century Schools Programme, thrown out and “a fresh consideration of schools” to take place which include Prestatyn High School.

Lead member for education, Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, said the decision had been based on “need” and the school received “more than £1m” in recent years for repairs and upgrades – including a brand new science lab.

The council’s communities and scrutiny committee will revisit the scheme on Monday.

Cllr Penlington, who recently defected from Labour to Plaid Cymru, said: “I was extremely unhappy with DCC cabinet’s decision  to seek £37 million of Welsh Government funding for new or improved schools, only in the south of the county.

“I have challenged that decision and requested it be reviewed to include Prestatyn High School in the funding bid.

“I wrote to all Prestatyn county councillors after the cabinet decision requesting we meet to discuss what we could do together to support our high school.

“Shamefully only one responded and he rejected my suggestion.

“I was left with no option but to seek support from councillors from other areas as, under DCC’s constitution, I needed five in total to support the call-in request.

“Prestatyn did not appear in the first round of the 21st Century schools fund in 2017.

“I challenged that at the time and was assured it would be part of future funding rounds. That has not happened.”

Cllr Glenn Swingler (Denbigh Upper/Henllan ward) has backed his Plaid Cymru colleague.

Cllr Swingler said: “I’m happy to support this request to have the needs of children in Prestatyn considered equally alongside other schools.

“Denbigh High School fortunately is already part of the funding bid – Prestatyn now deserves a chance to be included too.”

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts said: “This is a debate that has been had many times.

“Maybe no other Prestatyn councillor responded because they have an understanding of the rationale as to why cabinet came to this decision.

“The priorities of the schools in Band B of the 21st Century Schools programme are based on the poor conditions of the buildings these children are currently educated in.

“I know that there has been significant investment in Prestatyn High School outside Band B over the past three years – and that includes an news science lab.

“More than £1m has been put into the school.”

The special meeting of the communities and scrutiny committee takes place at 10.30am on Monday October 5.