£100m Thurso ‘POD’ scheme could deliver new school in 2030
A new school and community building for Thurso could be up and running in 2030 as councillors are asked to approve the project’s timescales.
The £100 million investment would create a new complex called a ‘point of delivery’ (POD) bringing together a school alongside other community facilities.
The Highland Investment Plan (HIP) is aimed at creating a new generation of integrated community facilities, known as PODs, which will be complemented by a refreshed operating model for services across Highland Council and with key partners, such as NHS Highland.
The HIP commits £2.1 billion of capital funding over a 20-year period based on the ring-fencing of two per cent of council tax per annum.
Thurso is in line to be prioritised for funding as part of the investment plan and together with Dingwall are pioneering the POD concept in the region.
Highland councillors will be asked on Thursday to approve a five-year funding plan for the first phase of the Highland-wide project, which includes the new Thurso development.
They will also be updated on the Thurso place-based review which will determine a preferred model for a Thurso community POD. If agreed, the recommendation is that it should be prioritised for the earliest possible delivery with an estimated operational timescale in 2029/30.
A report before the meeting shows a timescale involving a new-build construction between December 2027 and December 2029, with the building operational from March 2030.
The overall cost through to 2032 remains at £100 million for the Thurso project – the highest of any individual scheme in the plan.
New schools and facilities are also earmarked for Beauly, Charleston (Inverness), Dingwall, Dunvegan (Skye), Fortrose and Inverness High.
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Highland Council leader Cllr Raymond Bremner said: “Included in the recommendations to council will be that Hub North Scotland Ltd be taken forward as the chosen Highland Investment Plan delivery partner; and that a commissioning approval board be set up and chaired by the assistant chief executive – place.”
He added: “The wider context of the HIP is to establish a prospectus of investible developments that can attract private sector partners and gain more leverage for public sector investment in local communities.”
The committee will also be asked to agree the proposed project delivery timescales, as well as an option to move to a community POD development for St Clement’s and Dingwall Primary schools.
Convener of the council, Cllr Bill Lobban added: “All work to date by the council on the Highland Investment Plan has taken into account the views of local people and local issues and priorities.
“Members will have the opportunity to discuss the report on Thursday and if the recommendations regarding St Clement’s and Dingwall Primary schools are agreed, the council will immediately commence an informal consultation period of engagement with relevant stakeholders from both schools.”
