A new session, but no news

The new session at Elgin High School has started well.  After six weeks holidays, pupils have quickly settled into the routine of school life.

Despite the readiness of the plans, the construction companies being ready to go, and the unreserved support of everyone in The Moray Council, there is sadly no positive news about the date for the start of the new build.  We, and a number of other projects across Scotland, are still caught in the difficulties relating to the European regulation ESA 10, the interpretation of the Scottish Futures Trust/Hubco model for funding public sector works and the Office for National Statistics.

The Moray Council Children and Young People Committee discussed the matter and a letter has been sent to John Swinney, signed by representatives of all the political parties.  Richard Lochhead, as local MSP, has also written to Dr Alasdair Allan, minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages.  On Wednesday evening the Parent Council met and expressed an equal sense of frustration.  A letter is being prepared for sending to John Swinney and others.

The huge level of support is greatly appreciated by all in the EHS community.  We can only hope that the issues which are causing delays to pupils and staff getting the quality of resources that they deserve here as well as in a number of other schools across Scotland, can be resolved sooner rather than later.

Potential delays?

Yesterday the media covered the story of the need to re-classify the building of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route due to interpretations of the funding arrangements in relation to European legislation.  The BBC website published this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-33731797

This is likely to have implications for the Elgin High School project.  However, it was good to hear about this directly from Hubco staff and we are hoping that contact with them next week will give clarification.  Everyone can be reassured that all involved are making every effort to keep the momentum going and find resolutions so that we can cut the first turf sooner rather than later.