Plea for action amid £127m cuts plan for Highland projects
We've been speaking to parents of pupils at Charleston Academy, one of the schools affected by new Highland Council proposals
Inverness parents are urging for local authority and Scottish Government action as funding for their kids school is set for a devastating blow.
Highland Councillors are being asked to agree a review to the capital programme this week, which would involve taking more than £120 million away from major projects including schools, road schemes and leisure facilities.
This includes cutting funding to replace Charleston Academy from £14.5 million to just £1.5 million.
A mum of two at the school is telling us she wants to see Highland Council and national Government decision makers stand up and fight to ensure the school receives suitable funds.
"Disgusting" school impacts greatly on pupil learning - Marion Rennie
Funding was originally allocated for the likes of St Clement's School in Dingwall, Invergordon's Park Primary, Culloden Academy and Charleston Academy.
However, this has been drastically slashed as Highland Council look to claw back £127 million from their original spending plans.
The news comes as a huge blow for many schools and other infrastructure projects, including Charleston Academy which has recently hit the headlines.
The school is one of two in Highland where the potentially dangerous concrete, RAAC, has been identified.
In June, Charleston suffered a red mite infestation which required specialist advice on how to manage the outbreak, before Home Economic lessons were suspended as mice were found.
Prior to that in 2018, part of the school had to be closed after a sample of dust was found to have contained asbestos.
Marion Rennie, who has been collecting pupil opinions about the school, feels the students and staff deserve better.
She said: "It impacts greatly on their learning and overall well-being, being in a building they describe as 'mouldy', 'disgusting' and 'not safe.'
"One pupil has stated it makes it hard to learn if water is dripping on your desk, which I find really quite heart-breaking.
"I would really urge everyone involved in decision making for education and pupil well-being, to listen to the pupils voice, to be bold, act with heart and compassion.
"I would include local Councillors, the Highland Council, the Scottish Government and the First Minister in that, to show they have listened and to act financially to commit to Charleston Academy as a priority re-build."
Marion's husband Sandy, who is also a Chartered Surveyor, says RAAC within the school is particularly worrying.
He said: "There's been issues with mites, mice, asbestos, water ingress and roof leaks in the past.
"The latter of which is very concerning when RAAC is involved."
Highland Council and Scottish Government responses
Highland Council say critical RAAC works have been carried out and the review of the programme will be considered in light of increased costs.
A spokesperson said: "Highland Council has appointed Chartered Engineers that have the required expertise and experience to undertake RAAC assessments following further guidance issued by the Institution of Structural Engineers in April 2023.
"As a result of the updated guidance, the Council arranged for further surveys and assessments to take place at Charleston and Nairn Academies during the school summer holiday period when the buildings were vacant and all critical works have been carried out or areas securely cordoned off from use until remedial works can be completed.
"Next steps will be subject to the outcome of the survey and assessment. These may require phased works subject to the Chartered Engineer reports and instructed course of actions.
"The review of the whole capital programme is to be discussed at the Council meeting on Thursday.
"No decisions have been made, however Council will be considering the review of the programme in the light of increased costs, affordability, new information in relation to need, and criteria for prioritisation of works across a vast estate within a limited financial envelope."
The Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) aims to support councils own investment in their schools.
In response Marion's call for action, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: "No bids have been submitted to the Scottish Government by The Highland Council for LEIP funding for Charleston Academy."
Councillors will discuss the capital programme review tomorrow.