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CHAIRMAN TO CHALLENGE STATUS QUO DECISION FOR ST
CLEMENTS S.E.N. Bower Primary School Caithness Included In Upgrade Plans - 31 January 2002 A challenge is to be made to a decision taken by The Highland Councils Education Culture and Sport Committee to remove from its 21st Century School Improvement Programme the provision of a new special educational needs unit within the campus of Dingwall Academy. The Committee voted 14 votes to 13 to retain St Clements School, Dingwall, in its current location and abandon plans to provide a replacement in the (Pounds)120 million Public Private Partnership bid. The call for the status quo was proposed by Councillor Margaret Paterson, Dingwall, who said she was dutybound to reflect the views of parents and staff, who did not wish the school site to change. Chairman, Councillor Andy Anderson, who moved that
the unit be transferred to a new building on the Dingwall Academy campus,
later confirmed he would be contesting the decision at the full council
meeting on Thursday 28 February. He stressed that St Clements School
would not close. The intention was to move the unit to a new building
within the campus of Dingwall Academy, which would He said: I appreciate the views of parents and staff that resulted from the consultation process. It demonstrates the very high regard everyone has for the service we provide at St Clements and this is very reassuring. However, we are looking to build this school in five or six years time and we must plan for the future, by providing a 21st century teaching environment for our young people. Standards of teaching and care will not slip if we move. I am convinced that the best interests of all will be served by the council replacing a Victorian building that has outlived its usefulness with a purpose built centre of excellence for these pupils with special needs. In light of the narrow decision at committee, I wish to put the matter before the entire 80-strong council on 28 February. The matter arose during a debate on the results of
recent consultations on PPP 2. The Committee also decided to remove from
the programme plans for a new school, which would replace primaries at
Teanassie and Tomnacross. The Council is promoting an outline bid
for a (Pounds)120 million Education Public Private Partnership to tackle
the unacceptable condition of many of its A total of 25 projects have been included in the bid, which has been sent to the Scottish Executive for a decision by the spring. It is proposed that the 21st Century School Improvement Programme be undertaken between 2005-2010. It is estimated that the programme will attract an estimated £220 million of funding from the Executive over its 30-year life. The net annual cost to the council is likely to rise from £1.3 million to £6.5 million by 2010. Convener David Green said: "The programme clearly demonstrates the councils long-term commitment to taking many of our schools from the 19th century right into the 21st century. We have a duty of stewardship over our schools. Far too many pupils are being taught in outdated conditions and we want to move forward by providing a modern learning environment for all. The schools which are included in the bid are: - |
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