Merger fears pose risk of delay for new Wick school
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SCOTTISH Government ministers have been asked to scrutinise plans to amalgamate two primary schools in Wick – sparking fears the scheme could be delayed.
Parents’ concern about the decision-making process behind the planned closure of Hillhead – which is to amalgamate with North Primary – has prompted this latest development.
Members of the public had until January 4 to make representations to ministers about the plans which could see all four primaries in the town closed to make way for two new facilities.
However, the process has now entered a period of limbo after Hillhead parent council presented its concerns to Holyrood.
The group’s chairman, Dr Ewen Pearson, told the John O’Groat Journal it held a vote and carried out a questionnaire after its last meeting.
“Ninety-seven per cent of parents at Hillhead were not happy with the proposal as it stood,” he said. “The education inspector agreed with parents that there was inadequate information for parents to make an informed decision.”
There are a number of issues causing concerned – including a perceived lack of information, worries about an education benefit statement and a lack of a travel plan. “We’re just hopeful that they can ensure that the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 has been followed properly and that everything has been done above board – there are concerns that’s not the case,” said Dr Pearson.
“We look forward to hearing what the education minister [Mike Russell] has to say once he has a look at the evidence provided.”
Under the proposals, Hillhead and the North school would join together in a new building in Girnigoe Street, while a similar merger between Pulteneytown Academy and the South school would be established on the site of the new high school.
Wick councillor Bill Fernie said it is now a waiting game to see if the decision-making process will be looked at.
If it is, Mr Fernie, who is chairman of the Highland Council’s education, culture and sport committee, hopes it will not impact on the long-term plans for education provision in the town.
“We’ve still got a fair bit of time so even if it was called in and that took a few weeks I don’t think it will delay the process too much,” he said.
“Obviously if it went on for six months then that would have an impact. But the ones that they have called in from Highland previously have all been fairly quick – probably less than three weeks. But we can’t determine how long they will take – we’re in the hands of the Scottish Government.”
Mr Fernie is worried a call-in could impact on the timescale for the new primary school on the south side of the town – which is already expected to delay the completion of the new secondary school by a year.
“The question we have is that if they call in the process on the north-side school we feel that actually they may have to call in the other side of town as well because the process was exactly the same,” said Mr Fernie. “The danger is that both sets of consultations will be called in.”
Wick member Gail Ross said although it is unfortunate to suffer a potential setback in the process, she is confident ministers will find everything in order.
“Unfortunately, it does look like it could be called in,” said Mrs Ross. “But we have absolutely no qualms that it will go ahead, it just might be delayed by a couple of months but we’re hoping that won’t happen.”
Mrs Ross, who is a member of the authority’s education committee, said if the proposals are called in then the decision-making process they have gone through will be under scrutiny.
“As long as the rules have been followed it will be approved by ministers and we can go ahead with putting together more detailed plans,” she said.
“As far as the councillors and officials are concerned, the rules have been adhered to and everything has been done according to the way it should have been done.”
She added: “If the decision is called in by ministers, when we finally get the go-ahead the public can be totally reassured that everything the council officials have done regarding the school amalgamation has followed due process.”
Representations are looked at on a case-by-case basis to examine any arguments and to consider supporting evidence before ministers make a decision to call in a project.
A Scottish Government spokesman said he could not confirm nor deny whether a representation had been received but said a decision is expected to be made public on January 26.
