Highland School Estate - No Safety Concerns

11th April 2016

In light of recent developments regarding the condition of Edinburgh Schools, the Highland Council confirms that it has no cause for concern about the safety of school buildings in this authority.

The Council will also be consulting with its PPP partners to provide further assurance regarding the 14 schools built under the first and second PPP development phases and to respond fully to the letter received from the Scottish Government.

The concerns in Edinburgh relate to an aspect of the construction of PPP schools. Given the inspections of Highland's PPP properties at the time of these builds, and the ongoing monitoring, the Council is confident that there are no concerns. However, we will arrange meetings with the providers, to agree an appropriate programme of new inspections from this week. We will also review the new builds currently being led by the Council.

The Council is confident that its construction inspection regime on the PPP school works was sound, as it followed a multi-phase process of inspections: PPP provider project team inspections, Highland Council Clerks of Works inspecting ongoing works throughout each construction phase; joint certifier of works via the funder; and Building Control inspections.

The PPP schools are as follows:

· Phase1 contractor Community Schools (Highlands) Limited, builder was MJ Gleesons (completed 2002) - Ardnamurchan High, Glen Urquhart High, Spean Bridge Primary, Strathdearn Primary

· Phase 2 contractor Alpha Schools (Highland) Limited, builder was Morrison Construction Ltd (5 schools were built by Tulloch Construction Ltd as a supply chain partner) (completed 2007/8) - Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inhir Nis, Cawdor Primary, Culbokie Primary, Dingwall Academy, Drummond School & the Pines Interagency building, Inshes Primary, Kinlochleven High / Primary, Millburn Academy, Portree High, Resolis Primary