Highland Council slammed for ‘utter ineptitude’ over school investment cuts
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A bid by Highland Council to remove dozens of infrastructure projects – including 10 school buildings – from its budget plans has been met with fury as thousands of pupils now face inadequate schools.
In a paper going to full council on Thursday officials have asked members to agree to a new capital plan arguing that the budget is around £300 million but the cost of agreed projects stands at £566 million.
To balance the books they want to slash more than £120 million from school investment and other areas in what amounts to a series of the biggest U-turns in Highland Council’s history.
Reading the names of the schools promised new buildings who will not get them if the proposals are agreed reads like a list of the very worst or most-overcrowded school buildings in the north.
St Clement’s Special School in Dingwall, Park Primary in Invergordon, Charleston Academy, Culloden Academy, Beauly Primary, Dunvegan Primary on Skye and two proposed schools may also be cut – Stratton Primary and East Inverness Secondary.
St Clement’s parent Avril Robertson believes Highland Council is being “disingenuous and lacks any form of moral compass” while adding: “Their utter ineptitude and disregard for the most vulnerable people in our society is astounding.”
“It really is unbelievable that the Highland Council has removed St Clement’s from their capital programme. To say we are disappointed is a massive understatement. We are lost for words.
“I feel Highland Council has been disingenuous and lacks any form of moral compass. Their utter ineptitude and disregard for the most vulnerable people in our society is astounding.
“What about the children’s rights? Getting It Right For Every Child – a commitment to provide all children, young people and their families with the right support at the right time. This is so EVERY child in Scotland can reach their full potential. We want all children to live in an EQUAL society.
“Where’s the equity for the kids at St. Clements? The lack of basic facilities is shameful. These are kids who are already disadvantaged due to their health issues.
“Also, some children need intensive care while in school. For example - some are PEG fed [percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy].
“I don’t think people realise how vulnerable the kids at St. Clements are and the amount of physical and emotional care they require. The staff are amazing and go above and beyond in an environment that is not fit for purpose.
“It is heartbreaking to know that these kids aren’t being given all that they are entitled to and just accept without complaining. Other than their parents and caregivers who is their voice or advocates for their rights?”
Even veteran councillors have been left shocked. Former SNP and council leader Councillor Maxine Smith made her feelings plain about the cuts, saying: “Absolutely disgusting!”
“Park and St Clements were PROMISED these new schools for years by the very same councillors in power now,” she said. “The SNP leads the Council along with the Independent group. How can they justify going back on promises they agreed only a few years ago?
“The SNP group has changed out of all recognition. Our local SNP councillors have let us down big time. I’m ashamed that I ever trusted them when I was a member. As for the other half of the coalition – they’ve stabbed their own Independent councillors in the back.
“From what I’m hearing it was the leaders, not the back benches in the administration who apparently made these decisions. I’m glad I had no part in it, as an opposition councillor I had no say but I’ll certainly be speaking out in chamber this week as I’m utterly disgusted!!”
Marion Rennie who has children at Charleston Academy called on all concerned from the Scottish Government to local councillors to “be bold, act with heart and compassion.”
She said: “I urge everyone involved in decision making for pupils’ education and wellbeing at Charleston Academy to be bold, act with heart and compassion – including local councillors, the Highland Council, the Scottish government and the FM of Scotland to financially commit to making Charleston Academy a priority rebuild.”
