The “urgent” replacement of a Perth secondary school is being hampered by the Scottish Government, a councillor is claiming.
Liberal Democrat councillor, Willie Wilson said the government has maintained a “stunning silence” over its role in meeting the costs of a new Perth High School which could cost £45 million.
He has written to MSP Derek Mackay, the cabinet secretary for finance, calling for some clarity on the funding for the project.
“In last year’s budget Perth and Kinross Council made provision in their capital budget for £10 million to be earmarked for a replacement Perth High School,” said Mr Wilson.
“Since then there has been a stunning silence from the Scottish Government. Despite raising this matter on several occasions there has been no real indication of when the funding might be provided or what the likely timescales involved will be.
“When we inquired in November 2017 we received an ambivalent letter from a civil servant which gave very little information but did say that Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme should be finalised in early 2018.
“We are nearly into March now and it is time for a decision to be made.
“I have written to Mr Mackay again asking when the announcement will be made regarding funding for the replacement of Perth High School and what the likely timescale and availability of the capital finance will be.”
In his letter Mr Wilson said that a feasibility study had been prepared showing the school replacement to be “urgent”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Through the £1.8 billion Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme, Perth and Kinross Council was awarded significant funding of £35 million towards the construction of Invergowrie Primary School, Kinross Primary School, Tulloch Primary School and the new secondary school at Bertha Park.
“These projects were identified by Perth and Kinross Council as its priority schools for investment. We are developing Scotland’s new Learning Estate Development plan and expect to make an announcement on this later this year.”
