£8m new school plan for Sauchie
Hamish Hutchinson • Published 28 Sep 2012 17:00
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A NEW £8 million state-of-the-art primary school could be built in Sauchie.
The news was revealed at Thursday's Education, Sport and Leisure Committee as Education chief Belinda Greer was quizzed.
Ms Greer said the village had been identified as an area for a new build in proposals put forward for funding from the Scottish Futures Trust.
Previously Clack-mannanshire Council had been reluctant to say where the funding would be used.
And the Head of Education remained evasive when
opposition councillors asked her what areas had been earmarked for the cash.
On the fourth time of being asked she finally confirmed the
village, and the possibility of replacing Craigbank, as those mooted to the funding body. She said, "Sauchie is one area put forward in the school estate area that would benefit." Ms Greer added that any proposal for a new school or merging schools would be brought before council.
Council leader Gary Womersley confirmed that a full public consultation would take place before any decision be made.
He said Sauchie had been earmarked due to potential new housing developments which would increase capacity at the local primary schools.
Earlier this month the local authority announced that it had bid for funding from the Scottish Futures Trust - a company established by the Scottish Government.
If successful, the council could built a £8m school for as little as £2m from its own funds.
Last week the Scottish Government's Finance Secretary, John Swinney, announced £80m on accelerating the school building programme (Schools for the Future) in his draft budget for 2013/14.
Mr Womersley said, "If our bid is successful, we could have the option of delivering an £8 million school for a Council contribution of only £2 million. With a major new housing developments potentially in the pipeline in Sauchie, it makes sense that it would be the first priority for any new primary school. I hope that the increase in funding to the Schools for the Future Programme will improve our chances of attracting investment to Clackmannanshire."
The bid is at the early stages and a decision is expected later in the year.
He added, "If the Council's bid is successful, there will be full consultation with the community as to how a new school might benefit Sauchie, particularly the Craigbank catchment area, which could see a significant increase in households."
This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 26 Sep 12
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