MSP lambasts council over Dingwall school 'stunt'
A HIGHLAND councillor who took issue with claims the local authority has failed special needs children in Ross-shire by neglecting to request extra funding from the Scottish Government has come under fire from MSP Maree Todd.
A claim last week – apparently confirmed by the Scottish Government – that Highland Council had not requested additional funding to resolve long-standing issues with outdated St Clement’s in Dingwall prompted councillor Trish Roberston, deputy chairwoman of the environment, development and infrastructure committee, to say she tried to secure extra funding for schools across the region.
She said she wrote to all the local MSPs, as well as finance minister Derek Mackay and education minister John Swinney, while also meeting with Tory MSP Edward Mountain.
Cllr Robertson said: “The council is preparing applications for future funding which is not expected until 2021.
“We have in fact been funded for five priority schools but they are off the list and now replaced with 10 schools which need replacement.
“We also have a need for new schools to serve Tornagrain and Stratton both in an associated school group which has severe capacity issues. Highland has a particularly high number of schools compared to population because of its rural nature.”
She added: “The call remains for special consideration due to vast area with small settlements.”
But local MSP Mrs Todd, who is the Scottish Government’s children’s minister, hit back at the claims.
She said: “Maintaining the school estate is very clearly the statutory responsibility of Highland Council.
“I look forward to meeting with local elected councillors and officers at the end of this month to hear what action they have taken to find solutions for St Clement’s and also how they plan to involve parents, children and the wider community in decision-making.
“What is absolutely obvious, however, is dropping John Swinney an email is not the way a serious attempt to secure funding for St Clement’s is pursued.
“At each stage of government investment in new and refurbished schools, the council have the opportunity to formally request investment in specific, worked up proposals.
“An email from one councillor to the education secretary is a political stunt, not a formal request for funding and Trish Robertson knows it.”
Furious parents say vulnerable children have been neglected for years with empty promises and no action over school buildings described as “Dickensian” by Dingwall-based MSP Kate Forbes and “not fit for purpose” by Mrs Todd.
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