Highland Councillors Over-turn Caithness Committee Decision On Thurso High School Block Replacement

30th June 2023

A heated debate ensued at the full meeting of Highland council on 29th June 2023. The highly politicised debate included accusations on both sides of the argument. The problem lay in the fact that the area committees should not be allowed to make decision on what is part of the Housing and Property committee decision. It was argues that it should never have been possible for a vote on this to be had at the area committee.

Members at the meeting of today's Highland Council voted in favour of a Notice of Amendment to a decision taken at Caithness Committee regarding options for repairs to Thurso High School, which committed capital spend of £7.5m.

The decision today will mean that plans will now progress to demolish Block A of Thurso High School due to significant structural defects, and the site and adjoining blocks will be made good at a cost of £1.2m. The future of the site and the rest of the Thurso High School campus will be part of the agreed review of the Council's capital programme.

Leader of the Highland Council Raymond Bremner said: "Today's discussion at full Council was about achieving best value outcome and fairness across the Highland Council's education estate.

"The Council has limited capital funding and only the Council can authorise what that money can be spent on. There is already a process in place that is considering long-term options for Thurso High School. Thurso High School and others across the education estate will be discussed at a capital plan review after the council recess.

"As a Caithness member and also as Leader of the Highland Council, I need to make sure that we consider the interests of all members and their communities.

"What we have agreed today doesn't take away from local members making their views known; that was clearly done today and at the Caithness Committee. However, the proper procedure is to allow the process of the Housing and Property committee to fully scope the long-term options and the overall cost to the capital plan."

The Notice of Amendment had been received in accordance with Standing Order 13 and worded as follows:

"On Monday 29th May, at the Caithness Area Committee, Members were asked to agree Option 1 of supplementary agenda item 4 as the recommended and preferred option for Thurso High School in that, following the discovery of significant structural defects to Block A, it should be demolished and for the site and adjoining blocks to be made good at a cost of £1.2m. A motion was brought to the Committee to agree to option 4 for the demolition and replacement of the block at a cost of £7.5m. This notice of amendment requests Council to consider the immediate implementation of Option 1; also to refer further considerations for the site of block A and the rest of the Thurso High School campus to the agreed review of the Council's capital programme".

The amendment was signed by: Mr R Bremner Mr G MacKenzie Mr D Louden Mr K Rosie Mr J Finlayson Mr D Millar Mr W MacKay Mrs M Paterson

The agreed decision at the meting was Investment of £1.2m to demolish defective block at Thurso High School agreed by Council. This may take place next summer if the amount is agreed by the Housing and Property committee.

The debate on the issue can be seen near the beginning of the webcast once it is archived. Go HERE
https://highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/720505

You can watch the debate on 29th May HERE

The final outcome will be years away for many reasons.