Cut in new Wick High funding

Councillors unhappy in regional construction costs reduction

HIGHLAND councillors were stunned to hear that the new Wick High School faces a £3 million cut in government funding.
A council report on the new Wick High, states the government recently removed £2.92 milion earmarked to cover a regional loading in construction costs and now plans to play £13.96 towards the construction, a drop of 20 per cent on their original offer. The council expected to pay £18.9m for the project budgeting for 13 per cent of constructions costs but now face having to pay 33 percent.
Wick member, Gail Ross said the Wick school was going to be a flagship project for the council and government and the authority didn’t want to have to compromise on any aspect of it. The council is going to seek a compromise at a crucial meeting next week.