Take a good look at the view above.  This picture was taken at lunchtime today from the Art department window.  In 24 hours time the scene will have changed.  The trees and hedges are due to be cut down… this is the site of the new PE block.  Although there is a delay in the start of construction work, it is important that this part of the preparation work is completed soon before the birds start nesting.  Over the next two years, we will include regular photos of the same view as a record of the progress.  The wood from the trees is to be stored safely so that it can be seasoned.  The plan is to use the timber for a project within the new build.  Details have still to be decided, but it will provide a link between the “old and the new”.

A skip is also on order so that the garages can be emptied before they are demolished.

The report to Thursday’s Steering Group confirmed the delayed starting date.  A number of financial issues have to be resolved before deals can be signed.  However, it is encouraging to learn of the work that is happening to overcome the problems.  At the moment we are targeting a start date of mid/late May.

After the encouragement of last week when the project went through the planning process, this week has ended with a disappointment.  If everything had gone to plan we  hoped that the enabling work to prepare the site could have started in March.  A decision today means that this has had to be delayed.  The reasons are complex and centre on the cost and financing of the project.  However, the planning continues with discussions on topics such as the room layouts and computer cabling.  We are now looking at a date in mid/late May for work to start.  This will have a knock on impact on the date of entry.  More details to follow!

Today’s meeting was fascinating!  Along with officers from The Moray Council we met with representatives from Balfour Beatty and Hubco to review the project.  The aim was  to ensure that the project comes in within the budget.  We had to look at many aspects of the building to discuss different types of materials, the number of doors, the size of windows and other such subjects.  The main consideration was to ensure that any proposed changes did not have a negative impact on the experience for the EHS community.  In some cases changes will actually improve the building for the pupils.  Other decisions could make savings for the project with no substantial difference to anyone.  At the end of the day, as well as being fascinating, the decisions were also positive and the designing of the building remains on target.

However, the proposal to take a report on the financial arrangements for the project to next Tuesday’s Policies and Resources committee has had to be changed.  Instead it is now intended to present the report to the full council on Wednesday 4th March.  The dates are getting tight, but we can still make the anticipated start (and completion dates)!

Good news!  This afternoon planning permission for the new build was granted by The Moray Council Planning and Regulatory services committee.  This is one major step closer to the start of the construction work.

Over the next two weeks there will be a number of crucial meetings.  These will help to decide the starting and therefore the finishing date for the new build project.  On Tuesday afternoon the Moray Council planning committee will consider the proposals.  Yesterday (Friday) afternoon members of the committee visited Elgin High School.  They were shown detailed plans of everything from the building itself through to the arrangements for the road.  This will ensure that they will have first hand knowledge to inform their decisions.

On Thursday (the first day of the holiday weekend) there will be a “value engineering” meeting with representatives of a wide range of bodies.  We will be looking at details of the proposals to ensure both reasonable costings and that the proposals can deliver for the school community.

The third important meeting is on Tuesday 17th February.  The Moray Council Policies and Resources committee meets to agree financial arrangements.

Hopefully after these meetings, if all goes smoothly, we will be able to announce the start date and a turf cutting ceremony.