Dingwall MSP Kate Forbes 'aghast' over Highland Council school priorities amidst concern for St Clement's

DINGWALL's MSP has said she was left "aghast" over Highland Council priorities after a shock reshuffle of capital spending proposals.

Highland Council is discussing its spending intentions at today's meeting which promises to be a fiery affair.

Council officials have cited rising costs, uncertainty over Scottish Government funding for school programmes and a massive half-billion pound wish list of projects for its predicament.

But local campaigners are furious over the prospect of schools including St Clement's in Dingwall and Park Primary in Invergordon being left on the drawing board.

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Kate Forbes MSP said: “Whilst I recognise the unprecedented funding challenges facing Highland Council, not helped by the Scottish Government delays on LEIP3 school estate funding, I am aghast that council officers have prioritised a new primary school for Tornagrain over new schools for Dunvegan, Beauly and St Clement’s – when they were all part of the same funding bid.

“The St Clement’s school building dates back to the Victoria era, so it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to Highland Council that it’s past its sell-by date and in need of replacement.

“When you see the excellent facilities at the likes of Drummond School in Inverness, which was purpose-built to accommodate the wide spectrum of children with additional support needs, you can’t help but feeling that St Clement’s is getting a raw deal.

“Cold, dark, small, narrow and draughty rooms and corridors are simply not conducive to a healthy learning environment, and this must be rectified for these long-suffering Highland children.

“I take my hat off to the staff who are doing their level best in the circumstances, but the time has come for Highland Council to take decisive action for the good of pupils, parents and teachers alike.

“If Highland Council are serious about equal opportunities, this is exactly the sort of initiative that should be funded – even in hard times. I hope their proposal to fund another new primary for the Inverness area does not jeopardise new schools for St Clement’s as well as Beauly.”

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