THE first meeting of Newport council’s new Labour cabinet approved plans to include schemes worth more than £1 million pounds in its programme of works.

The Argus previously reported that, following new grants and cash from developers, the council’s capital programme for 2010 to 2014 has increased by £1.5 million.

Among the projects added to the capital programme is a £779,000 planned centre for performing arts at Lliswerry High School, and a £112,000 refurbishment of Bettws Library and Information Centre. Other projects include an extension at Bassaleg School to build two new classrooms, and re-using existing rooms at Rogerstone Primary School and Maesglas Primary School as new classrooms.

Meanwhile, the cabinet has approved plans to spend an extra £877,000 on social services in Newport this year.

The cash came from £1.177 million in unallocated funding from the 2012/13 budget.