Nwicker60
03-May-11, 08:55
Fears allayed over school delay claim
A CLAIM that the building of the new Wick High School could be delayed, has been rejected.
Fears that the £34m school could be mothballed were raised by Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Liberal Democrat candidate Robbie Rowantree.
He insists that the lion’s share of the cost has yet to be committed through the Scottish Government’s Scottish Future Trust and believes, that, if a current round of talks fail, the new school could face a delay of many years.
However, election rival, Rob Gibson (SNP) accused Mr Rowantree of totally misrepresenting the Scottish Government’s position. He said that there had been a Government commitment for 14 new Scottish secondaries, including Wick High, and that commitment was “absolute”
Mr Gibson added: “In putting out a scare story of this kind, Mr Rowantree is clearly just playing politics with people’s fears.”
Bill Fernie, chairman of Highland Council’s education, culture and sport committee, said he was confident Wick’s new school would proceed as planned. Normal discussions were being held this week between the Scottish Government and council officials about the funding package.
He added: “As far as I’m concerned it’s all go for the new Wick High School.”
A CLAIM that the building of the new Wick High School could be delayed, has been rejected.
Fears that the £34m school could be mothballed were raised by Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Liberal Democrat candidate Robbie Rowantree.
He insists that the lion’s share of the cost has yet to be committed through the Scottish Government’s Scottish Future Trust and believes, that, if a current round of talks fail, the new school could face a delay of many years.
However, election rival, Rob Gibson (SNP) accused Mr Rowantree of totally misrepresenting the Scottish Government’s position. He said that there had been a Government commitment for 14 new Scottish secondaries, including Wick High, and that commitment was “absolute”
Mr Gibson added: “In putting out a scare story of this kind, Mr Rowantree is clearly just playing politics with people’s fears.”
Bill Fernie, chairman of Highland Council’s education, culture and sport committee, said he was confident Wick’s new school would proceed as planned. Normal discussions were being held this week between the Scottish Government and council officials about the funding package.
He added: “As far as I’m concerned it’s all go for the new Wick High School.”