COUNCIL DELAYS RULING ON PRIVATE
FUNDING SCHEME FOR SCHOOLS
TOMMY SMITH
09:00 - 18
September 2003
A
Decision on a controversial public-private-partnership plan to
overhaul six of Moray's schools was deferred at a Moray
Council meeting yesterday.
Councillors accepted a
recommendation put forward by council convener Eddie Aldridge
that more time was required to study the outline business plan
which has been drawn up by consultants.
Under the
option councillors were to be asked to approve, Elgin High
School would be remodelled, while Elgin Academy, Keith
Grammar, Keith Primary, Kinloss Primary and Mosstodloch
Primary would be rebuilt on their current sites.
The
overall cost is estimated to be over £50million, the majority
of which would be covered by the Scottish Executive if the
council's funding bid is approved.
Mr Aldridge told
yesterday's meeting that a decision should be deferred in view
of the "significant impact" the proposals would have across
all council services and existing community facilities. He
said: "I am aware that council departments wish an opportunity
to study the report in greater detail and that all members are
likewise minded.
"This report represents only the
consultants' views which will have to be set into the context
of the council's other already agreed corporate, service and
financial priorities and affordability will be a key
factor.
"The outline business case is an exciting and
ambitious scheme for the redevelopment of six schools in Moray
into the 21st century, a new concept in education provision
which needs to be understood by all stakeholders, and must
include council tax payers.
"It is, however, important
that we have plans for the whole of the school estate and to
ensure that the bid can integrate with the council's proposals
for a corporate asset management scheme."
The
councillors were told that the delay should not affect their
ultimate submission to the Scottish Executive for funding as
no firm deadline has been set for submissions.
Members
of the council's policy and resources committee had met with
representatives of the Unison, GMB and EIS unions on Tuesday
to gauge their opinion on the proposed PPP scheme.
The
union representatives were also of the opinion that more time
was required to study the outline business
case.
