Border Telegraph | News | Schools work goes to court

Wednesday, 20th August, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 5th September, 2007 11:20

Schools work goes to court

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

A LEGAL move to halt a revised primary schools building programme has been turned down.

The Border Telegraph understands that an interim interdict was sought against Scottish Borders Council at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.

The action followed last week’s announcement that work on the new school for Clovenfords would not start until April 2010, with completion by February 2011.

The move was highlighted at a recent meeting of the Scottish Borders Council Executive.

Councillors Gavin Logan and Bill Herd hit out at a lack of consultation and complained that villagers were being badly let down.

A two-year delay has hit the building of six new primary schools in the Borders.

Councillors were told that there had been “very significant delays and complications” in the project’s development.

The delays have created a shortfall of almost £1.7 million, prompting adjustments to the funding plan.

In February 2005, council approval was given to provide four new schools: Caddonfoot (at Clovenfords), Lauder and two schools in Peebles, Kingsland and Halyrude.

Since work on the programme began in April 2005, new schools for Denholm and West Linton were added.

Planning issues at Caddonfoot and Lauder and delays in the consultation process for Kingsland and Halyrude have affected the project.

The emergency inclusion of Denholm meant that all other schools were delayed by a year.

A report to councillors said: “It is recognised that this timetable will disappoint schools at the end of the programme and cause particular concern for Caddonfoot.

“While no commitment can be made at this stage, every opportunity will be sought through further cost reductions, slippage in other capital projects or additional capital funding grants from the Scottish Government to accelerate the start on site for Caddonfoot and, if possible, West Linton.”

Although cost estimates allow for contingences, there is a risk that the delay may lead to tender prices being above estimates.

Members were told that further delays to a revised programme would add £40,000 per week in construction inflation.

The revised start and completion times for the schools are: Lauder (July 2008-August 2009); Kingsland (July 2008-October 2009); Halyrude (November 2009-February 2010); Caddonfoot (April 2010- February 2011); and West Linton (May 2011-June 2012).

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