PLANS to build two new schools in Tullibody have been formally-approved by Clackmannanshire Council, despite claims of a tainted consultation process.

In a unanimous vote, both Abercromby Primary School and St Bernadette's Primary School will be re-established on a shared campus on the current Abercromby school site.

The greenlight followed a public consultation process, which asked the public to signal their preference on where to the locate the new Tullibody South Campus.

An overwhelming majority approved of Option A – to build on the current Abercromby grounds – and not Option B which suggested building on the grounds of the civic centre.

After they were proposed, some residents became concerned that building on the civic centre could encroach on the adjacent park.

However, at last Thursday's full council meeting, a number of accusations were made by elected members about the nature of the process, with some saying it had been "hijacked" for party political purposes.

The SNP group, the ruling administration at the time of the proposal, vehemently denied there had ever been any intention to build on the park – a prospect which mobilised a community campaign to safeguard the park area.

Much of the discussion centred around the distribution of "illustrative drawings" which, some say, was evidence that development under Option B would indeed encroach on the parkland.


Accusations

Councillor Craig Holden told the chamber that, as a result, the consultation had been undermined as many were swayed by a "mistaken belief" that the park was under threat.

He said: "There was never any intention to build on the park and that should be made clear to people today.

"For me, the consultation process was compromised and hijacked. I was on a website yesterday and saw a comment saying the SNP were going to build on the park – that's just not true.

"The whole thing has diluted the integrity of the process because people were voting on the purpose of saving park and Labour supported that position for party political purposes...That's a disgrace.

"At the same time I couldn't say anything; that's frustrating. I was given advice not to say anything; not to attend public meetings, and if I did I should be very, very careful about what I said.

"The people of Tullibody were rightfully concerned, but the point is that we were never going to build on the park."

Cllr Holden's comments were echoed by former education convener Cllr Ellen Forson who said: "These two new schools for Tullibody seem to have been lost in this furore.

"But it was not this side of the table that set the hairs running. I've got emails and leaflets that were handed out by members of the Labour party saying the SNP were going to build on the park. This was used for party political purposes."

Former Provost and SNP councillor for Tullibody Tina Murphy added: "I had people coming to my surgeries, pointing the finger and telling us we were about to because they had the proof. That's the damage done [by these drawings]."


"Not just about the park..."

Members of the Labour administration denied claims of any "conspiracy" to muddy the waters surrounding the public consultation.

Council leader Bobby McGill then challenged Cllr Holden on directions given to him about attending public meetings or voicing his opinion on the matter.

He said: "No one has a right to tell him not to go. He may well have been advised not to attend, but no one said he couldn't go."

Councillor Graham Watt said it was unfortunate the indicative drawings appeared to show encroachment on the park but added that much of the community campaign in Tullibody had been about the keeping the civic centre and not just the parkland.

Alan Milliken, assistant head of education with Clackmannanshire Council, said he was "saddened" and "disappointed" that a row over the park had overshadowed the positives of building new schools for children in Clacks.

He added: "There was never any intention of building on the park and I'm sorry this formed part of the narrative.

"This amazing development should be a source of celebration for the council and people in Tullibody."

He added: "I accept that the illustrated drawings caused confusion. But we were clear that Option B was very much focused on the site of the civic centre."

Mr Milliken also said there were "no current plans" to close the civic centre.


Unanimous support

All elected members voted in favour of Option A and a further report with details of design proposals will be brought back to council in the New Year, following additional "stakeholder engagement".

The council has agreed to allocate £11.25m for the project, with funding of £5.35m secured through the Scottish Government Schools for the Future fund.

Construction is scheduled to begin on the project in autumn 2017.

Education spokesperson Cllr George Matchett said: "I am very pleased that the council has agreed to the building of a new Abercromby PS and new St Bernadette's PS within the grounds of Abercromby.

"This was clearly the overwhelming choice of the local community in the consultation that was undertaken.

"The council will now move forward to securing the delivery of these exciting new school buildings for Abercromby and St Bernadette's, with further discussions with these communities taking place."

Councillor Janet Cadenhead added: "It's great to see that it's a shared campus. People may not share a religion, but they share their daily lives."