Agenda item

Consider joint report by Service Director, Young People Engagement & Inclusion and Service Director, Assets & Infrastructure (copy attached).

2.1       There had been circulated copies of a joint report by the Service Director, Young People Engagement & Inclusion and Service Director, Assets & Infrastructure to provide an update on plans for the replacement of the Secondary School Estate and on the planned submission to Scottish Government seeking funding from Phase 2 of the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP).  The report outlined the further adjustment that required to be made to the Capital Investment Strategy to progress with the replacement of Galashiels Academy, while accelerating the replacement of Peebles High School following the significant fire in November 2019.  The Service Director, Young People Engagement & Inclusion, Lesley Munro, presented the report which advised that the plan for secondary school replacement sat within a wider strategy, which would make recommendations regarding future work-streams and policies that would be required to deliver the overall Learning Estate Strategic Plan.  This strategy would be presented to Scottish Borders Council following further engagements at locality level and feedback from Scottish Government, which was expected to be by the end of the year. In February 2020, adjustments to the Capital Investment Strategy were approved by Scottish Borders Council to progress with the replacement of Galashiels Academy, while accelerating the replacement of Peebles High School, maximising the opportunity to enhance facilities there. In response to Scottish Government’s request for a status update, it was proposed that Galashiels Academy and Peebles High School were presented as priority projects. The proposals also aligned with the Fit for 2024 programme which looked to extend the use of schools as community assets. The replacement of outdated inefficient secondary schools in Galashiels and Peebles would also make a substantive contribution to the sustainability and energy efficiency of the wider school estate. Mrs Munro outlined the proposals for both schools which were detailed within the report which also set out the delivery programme and estimated budget details for each. The report went on to look at proposals for Hawick High School in the Capital Plan.

2.2       In a discussion of the report Members expressed their enthusiasm and support for the exciting and ambitious programmes at both Galashiels and Peebles.  In terms of the proposals in Galashiels for the replacement of the swimming pool and provision of enhanced sports facilities for the town they noted the importance of engagement with sports groups and other stakeholders to ensure there were no missed opportunities in the development project.  With regard to timescale for delivery of the programme and whether this could be shortened, the Service Director Assets & Infrastructure, John Curry, emphasised the importance of spending sufficient time in the initial phase of consultation and engagement with the community and stakeholders to ensure that the Council arrived at the best possible brief for this ambitious project.  Mr Curry added that the proposals would result in particular solutions which were fit for purpose for each school site.  In response to a question from Mr Topping, Mrs Munro confirmed that the Primary School replacement programme would continue and run in parallel with the Secondary School programme.  She also responded to a question from pupil representative Harry Scott about the position of Hawick and Selkirk High Schools within the strategy. She explained that some improvement work was being carried out at Selkirk High School, which was fourth in terms of the programme, in particular to create social areas and improved toilet facilities.  The delivery of Hawick High School was third in the programme and slightly behind that of Galashiels Academy and Peebles High School. Some refurbishment work had already been carried out at Hawick High School and Mrs Munro said she was happy to consult with a pupil group there about any further particular refurbishment work that may be required in the meantime ahead of the investment in a new build.

            DECISION

          AGREED:

(a)        to endorse the submission of an update proposal to Scottish Government seeking approval for funding support towards the replacement of Galashiels Academy and the substantive replacement of Peebles High School;

(b)       to note that the requirement for additional upfront capital funding to replace Galashiels and Peebles Secondary Schools would require to be prioritised within the Capital Investment Programme 2020/21; and

(c)        that locality engagement would be undertaken on the overall Learning Estate Strategy in preparation for presentation of the full strategy to Scottish Borders Council following cluster engagement and Scottish Government feedback.