Investment in schools is priority for Perth and Kinross Council

Feb 12 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

INVESTMENT in schools remains a priority for Perth and Kinross Council, its leader Ian Miller pledged this week.

Speaking at the strategic policy and resources committee meeting, Councillor Miller noted that Perth High School would benefit from a £2.23million investment while Blairgowrie High School would be boosted by a £3.42million project.

A primary school upgrade at Invergowrie will also secure a £4.1million Scottish Government grant, with the timetable expected to be revealed soon by Holyrood ministers.

This follows hard on the heels of investment in various new schools in Perth and Kinross.

Cllr Miller declared: “Investment in the schools estate will always be top of our priorities and have a higher spend than any other area.”

He was responding to Cllr Barbara Vaughan, who said slippage over decades in investment in schools would have to be addressed in future years.

Councillors welcomed the investment at the High School and at Blairgowrie but, while backing the developments, Cllr Archie MacLellan queried whether some of the cash could be diverted to allow for investment at Perth Grammar.

He said: “The Grammar is a growing and effective school in need of refurbishment. Maybe if we top sliced some of the money earmarked for these other schools some could be used at the Grammar and possibly Perth Academy.”

Cllr Miller said other school projects had not been ignored, adding it was important the jobs were done properly.

An education department spokesman said continuing investment was required for upgrading local schools, as and when money became available.

A priority list had been drawn up and the High School and Blairgowrie had been top.