Dundee City Council is to commit a major investment totalling more than £320 million in new and refurbished facilities in schools, housing, community buildings and roads over the next four years.
It is a gross figure and includes the council’s contribution to the £45 million V&A museum on the waterfront, the £24 million new Olympia swimming pool and the £31 million refurbishment of Harris Academy.
The project list also includes new primaries at Whitfield, the West End and Balgarthno and the extension or refurbishment works at eight other schools.
In social work, Craigie House and Elmgrove House will be replaced and the MacKinnon and Whitetop Centres will be upgraded.
The general services draft capital plan, including spending by the council, Scottish Government and other agencies, was finalised on Tuesday and will be submitted to the policy and resources committee for approval as part of the council tax setting meeting next month.
Ken Guild, leader of the SNP administration, said: ”We are determined to take action to support the local economy and help protect people and jobs through this difficult period. This significant investment in our city’s buildings and infrastructure is proof that we are working confidently and looking to the future to take the city forward and support families, businesses and communities.
”We will do everything possible to encourage local companies to bid for work on council contracts and provide jobs for local people.”
Finance spokesman Willie Sawers said: ”Planned investment in a wide range of projects will deliver first-class facilities throughout our local communities and will benefit young and old alike.
”In the four years to 2016, we will see the new Harris Academy, the completion of new primaries at Whitfield, West End and Balgarthno and in addition we will be building two new primary schools with community facilities at Coldside and Menzieshill.
”Our plan for schools also includes the extension of Barnhill Primary and the refurbishment of seven primaries at Glebelands, Clepington, Longhaugh, Ancrum Road, Blackness, St Mary’s and Dens Road. In social work, we are replacing Craigie House and Elmgrove House as well as upgrading the MacKinnon and Whitetop Centres.”
Mr Sawers said that over the next four years the council was committed to an investment of over £27 million in the environment to help all road users.
Later this year the new Olympia will be complete and there will be further investment in parks and leisure centres.
He continued: ”The redevelopment of the central waterfront remains a key component in the council’s drive to reshape the city and maximise opportunities for the future.
”At the heart of the central waterfront development is the V&A and we have also now included £1.5 million to help deliver the refurbishment of Dundee railway station.”
Conservative group leader Rod Wallace welcomed the spending plan but said it was hard not to be cynical.
He said: ”Barnhill is the second most overcrowded primary school in Dundee, and for many years my colleague and fellow Ferry Councillor Derek Scott and I tried through the proper channels to persuade the council to spend some money on improving the school’s facilities. We were knocked back time after time.
”It is amazing how an election (the council polls are on May 3) seem to focus the administration, and now we have £1 million allocated for four more classrooms and a refurbishment project for Barnhill.”
Liberal Democrat leader Fraser Macpherson said he and colleague Helen Dick would meet the chief executive and director of finance to discuss the plan.