Parents blast council for not seeking cash to fix crumbling Dingwall school
SOME of the most vulnerable pupils in Ross-shire have been treated with "utter contempt" by the local authority which has misled parents and failed to seek "a single penny" of extra cash from the Scottish government.
That was the damning indictment this week ahead of a crunch meeting on the future of St Clement's in Dingwall before Highland Council sets its budget.
Members of the parent-teacher council have already written to every single councillor urging them to take long-promised action to resolve severe problems with school building declared unfit for purpose by the government's children's minister.
The Scottish Government has confirmed the local authority has not sought funding for St. Clement’s from the the Scotland Schools for the Future programme.
The next tranche of the £1 billion announced last November will only be available from 2021 leaving teachers and pupils enduring years more hardship in a building branded "Dickensian" by local MSP Kate Forbes.
A Scottish government spokesman said: “We have been made aware that St. Clement’s is in poor condition, however it is the statutory responsibility of Highland Council to manage and maintain its school estate.
“The Scottish government has provided significant funding of over £63m in recent years towards five projects through its existing school building programme, Scotland Schools for the Future, all of which were Highland Council’s priority projects for investment. Highland Council has not asked the Scottish Government for support in relation to St Clement’s.”
Christyna Ferguson, whose daughter suffering a series of complex health issues including autism attends the school, slammed the council’s inaction "utter contempt for the already disadvantaged, vulnerable children".
She said: "The Highland Council repeatedly told us that St.Clement’s appalling lack of facilities was due to a lack of Scottish government funding. Therefore it is misleading at best and shows not only non-compliance with their statuary obligations but utter contempt for the children.
"In the last year the Highland Council has taken no action to survey sites, secure funding or build a business plan despite assuring us they would."
She insisted: “Highland Council does have options in terms of funding solutions but they repeatedly refuse to engage in the process – again failing in their statutory obligations and causing unnecessary suffering and detriment to disabled children. It is incomprehensible to me that those with the power and the obligation in law can show such blatant disregard for disabled children."
Dingwall-based MSP Kate Forbes said: "As the daughter of a former teacher at St Clement’s, I am in no doubt as to the poor condition of the buildings. It is remarkable the teachers are able to care for and teach the pupils in such a damp, cramped building.
“There is a desperate need for a new building, delivered in consultation with parents and teachers. This is, of course, a matter for Highland Council who are statutorily responsible for school buildings but I think everybody wants to see a solution.
"I am more than happy to work with anybody and everybody to find a solution and would sincerely hope that we’re not still talking about school buildings in another 10 years."
Children’s minister Maree Todd, also a Ross-shire-based SNP MSP, said: "The school has not previously been prioritised by Highland Council in their capital spending plans despite being in a poor condition.
"It’s nearly a year since I first raised concerns with the council so I look forward to meeting with councillors and officers at the end of this month to hear an update on progress. All children, especially those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable, deserve our help to enable them to, not only fulfil, but to exceed their potential. That is why it is vital that we can find the right solution for the pupils, parents and the wider St Clement’s community.”
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: "At this point in time we are addressing our capital plan for next year and the process is still ongoing. The council has been in dialogue with Scottish Government and highlighted the 11 school locations, including St Clement's, which were identified by the council in March 2018 as priorities for bids to Scottish Government. We are not aware of any Scottish Government Funding prior to 2021."
