This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Western Isles school buildings programme
21/06/2004
Schools in the Western Isles are set
to share in Scotland's biggest ever school buildings
programme.
Education Minister Peter Peacock
announced today that Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is joining
the Public Private Partnership (PPP) building programme,
with Executive support for a £48 million project.
Across Scotland, 29 councils are now
part of the current PPP programme involving total
investment of over £2.2 billion.
During a visit to Aird Primary School
on Lewis, Mr Peacock said:
"Across Scotland, pupils, communities
and teachers are already reaping the rewards of new or
refurbished schools - a modern teaching and learning
environment fit for the 21
st century.
"Schools throughout the country are
being transformed and, by 2009, a further 300 will have
been rebuilt or revamped. We are building a fantastic
future for generations of young people to come and Western
Isles' pupils are now set to benefit.
"The right environment helps to ensure
pupils can achieve their full potential. That's why we want
to see pupils taught in well-designed, well-built and
well-managed schools where they can build strong
foundations for a successful future."
Local authorities were invited, in
September 2001, to bid for a share of Executive revenue
funding to support school building capital projects under
PPP. They were invited to bid in either December 2001 or
September 2002 (later extended to December 2002).
Fifteen local authorities submitted
bids in December 2001 (tranche one) and all were accepted.
The indicative level of PPP investment supported by the
Executive totalled almost £1.2 billion and was announced in
June 2002.
Fourteen local authorities entered
bids in December 2002 (tranche two) and nine were accepted.
The indicative level of PPP investment supported by the
Executive totalled almost £750 million and was announced in
March 2003.
Discussions continued with five other
authorities (including Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) and a
further announcement of support for four authorities was
made on June 1 2004 with an indicative level of investment
of £270 million.
The award to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
completes the consideration of all the bids received.