14 year wait for St Helen's replacement is 'unacceptable'

Bishopbriggs South Councillor Ben Rose says that the estimated replacement date of St Helen's Primary School of 2038 is unacceptable and is calling for more funding from the Scottish Government to complete the vital works for the East Dunbartonshire school estate. 

The Liberal Democrat council group have been championing the cause of funding for refurbishments and replacement schools across East Dunbartonshire as most projects started under the last administration have now been put on indefinite hold.  Last month even won agreement for the council to write to the Scottish Government to ask for extra funding.

Cllr Ben Rose said: "I will work with any party in any way for the Scottish Government to try and get this funding resolution resolved as how we’re going to fund these primary schools moving forward.

"This needs a cooperative response."

He continued: "The school is great, the teachers are great, I’ve never had any issue or feedback with that, the education department is run really well. 

"My impression from people I speak to is it’s a very good school and they’re happy sending their kids there.

"They’re proud of their school and so they should be, but the concern always revolves around the building.

"It has a really out of date feel to it."

Susan Murray, MP for Mid Dunbartonshire, said: "Pupils in East Dunbartonshire desperately need these schools to be rebuilt and the timescale they’re facing is unacceptable.   

"We have four schools that cannot be built without a 13.4 per cent council tax hike, which is completely impractical. 

"On top of that, we have four more schools that need to be rebuilt by 2038, including St Helen’s, which would be a mammoth task. 

"The Scottish Government must provide East Dunbartonshire Council with the capital finance needed to rebuild crumbling schools like St Helen’s."