It came from Far North MSP Jamie Stone who expressed concern that the argument over where to build the school could threaten the funding package.

Two options are being considered for the development - the playing fields behind the existing school in West Banks Avenue or the town's Bignold Park. Both would comprise community facilities including a swimming pool and library.

The Scottish Government has granted £18.4 million towards the £34.176m project, with the remaining £15.776m coming from the local authority.

Mr Stone stressed he would "back to the hilt" whichever location is chosen but was worried that protracted discussions about the site may impact on the funding.

Asked by the John O'Groat Journal about the financial implications of any delay, he said: "The honest answer at this stage is that I don't know it is absolutely secure. While I very much hope so, it is clearly my job to make sure that it is protected and it is something I must continue to keep a very close eye on over the summer."

The Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MSP added: "Having put the effort in that I did to secure the money from the Scottish Government I would be very anxious that the discussions about where the school should be located do not threaten that funding.

"Central government finance works in a similar fashion to local government finance and, as a former vice-convener of Highland Council's finance committee, I know that where project slippage becomes excessive there could be a strong temptation to direct the funds elsewhere.

"It would be best if this issue could be resolved as soon as possible."

The Liberal Democrat MSP said he did not want to dictate to Wickers where they should build their new school but argued it would be best to avoid unnecessary delays. "I will back to the hilt whatever site they choose," he said.

Mr Stone said he intended to write to Scottish education secretary Mike Russell and urge him to keep the funding in place.

Julie Mackinnon, the vice-chair of the local parent council, also expressed concern about any delay in choosing a site in the current economic and political climate. "Things can change from one day to the next and we have already seen a hold being put on school building in England," she told the Groat.

"We have been told that the money from the Scottish Government is safe until 2016 but nothing is safe nowadays and we would be very worried about any delays."

Mrs Mackinnon felt the "ideal solution" would be to focus on the playing field site behind the existing Wick High School.

"We have got all these delays since Bignold Park was brought into the equation. What we want is a new school for the town and a decision one way or the other. At first we were told this would happen in August but now we are looking at January or February but that could change again."

She pointed out that a report is to be put before the Highland Council's education, culture and sport committee on August 5 to get councillors' approval to carry out a statutory consultation regarding the site for the new school.

She felt the Bignold Park site was being mooted for political reasons and said there would be no problem accommodating the building behind the existing school.

"We feel there are a lot of negatives being highlighted about the playing fields site and too many positives for the Bignold Park option," she added.

Mrs Mackinnon stressed that there could be legal delays if the Bignold Park site is chosen as it is not clear who actually owns it. The park was left in a bequest to the people of Wick for recreational purposes but it is operated by the local authority.

"We have asked Highland Council about the ownership question but have still not received an answer," she said.

Earlier this month, the Wick Society claimed a new school at Bignold Park would have "a negative effect" on the town's heritage.

Chairman Don Sinclair said the site was left to local people for use as a recreational park and pointed out that the deeds contain specific restrictions and conditions that apply in perpetuity and guarantee the park protection from any public or private agency.

"This proposal to build the new school at Bignold Park would have a negative effect on the town's heritage for no financial gain," he said.

Mr Sinclair described the park as "a priceless green space which has been enjoyed by generations before us and hopefully those to come".

He added: "A new school is a great asset but under the Bignold Park plan we would be gaining one and losing another that cannot be replaced."

Mr Sinclair explained that Sir Arthur Bignold's bequest made it clear that the ground was being left to the people of Wick for specific use as a recreational park and said he and his fellow directors would like to see it be retained for that purpose.

He also expressed concern that if the issue over where to build the new school is not resolved quickly, the money provided by the Scottish Government could go elsewhere.

g.calder@nosn.co.uk

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---