This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Storm-hit school to be rebuilt
25/08/2005
Balivanich Primary School, wrecked by the storms which
ravaged the Western Isles earlier this year, will be
replaced on a new, safer site, it was confirmed today.
The Benbecula school was a victim of the 145mph storms
which swept tonnes of sand and boulders off the beach in
January. Pupils were forced to attend classes at other
schools for a time.
Now, following a meeting with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
(Western Isles Council), Education Minister Peter Peacock
agreed to support an increase in the council's Public
Private Partnership (PPP) schools investment programme from
£48 million to £52 million.
Mr Peacock said:
"The appalling weather which hit the Western Isles
earlier this year left terrible and tragic devastation in
its wake.
"The people of these islands have shown tremendous
determination in the way they have gone about rebuilding
their communities and the Scottish Government wants to back
their efforts.
"The council has done well to return the school to use
within a very short time. We now need to look to the
future and I am pleased that the government is able to play
its part in rebuilding the lives of local people through
support for a new school on a new site."
Comhairle's Chairman of Education and Children's
Services Councillor Norman MacDonald said:
"This is good news and will allow the Comhairle to move
forward on rebuilding a new school for Balivanich. We
welcome the recognition by the Minister and the Scottish
Executive of the Comhairle's case for support following the
devastating storms last January. Balivanich School was
particularly badly hit and the building of a new school is
a priority for the Comhairle.
"This will be an important part of the process of
rebuilding the local community as well as providing the
pupils of the area with a first rate educational facility.
We are now in consultation with the Scottish Executive
regarding a revised Outline Business Plan which will
include Balivanich.
"The next step will be to set up the 'special purpose
vehicle' (specialised company) which will be the mechanism
to facilitate the development of the five schools which are
included in the PPP project - The Nicolson Institute, Sir
E. Scott School, Point, the West Side and Balivanich."
The Executive announced support for a £48 million Public
Private Partnership school buildings programme in the
Western Isles in June 2004.
Following a meeting with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar last
week regarding a number of issues, the Education Minister
has now agreed Executive financial support for a £52
million PPP project. The additional support will allow for
the replacement of Balivanich Primary School on a new
site.