Schools to be checked in wake of capital scandal

South Lanarkshire Council will carry out necessary safety checks in Rutherglen and Cambuslang schools.

They confirmed the move following the news that defects had been found in several Edinburgh schools built using PFI.

The council’s flagship schools modernisation programme, which has seen every school in the region being rebuilt or revamped, was delivered using public private partnerships.

However, none used the contractors involved in Edinburgh.

South Lana rk s h i re Council’s executive director of education, Jim Gilhooly said: “South Lanarkshire pupils are still on holiday and are not due to return until next week. We have already undertaken some checks and have no safety issues at this time.

“H ow ev e r, local authorities are awaiting detailed information from the Scottish Government in relation to the recent further structural concerns raised by Edinburgh City Council, and will undertake necessary safety checks as a matter of priority.”

Co u n c i l l o r Sheena Wardhaugh, the SNP group’s spokesperson on education, said: “We have had a discussion with chief executive Lindsay Freeland and Jim Gilhooly, executive director of education resources and I am satisfied South Lanarkshire Council are being extremely proactive in this matter.”