Council to approve £3m education plan
Proposal for new nursery on St Charles school site
Councillors are today expected to approve a £ 3million investment into education in Cambuslang.
A proposal is on the table for a new nursery on the old St Charles’ Primary school site in Newton, which will cater for up to 140 youngsters and could be operational within 18 months.
The facility is one of three new builds in South Lanarkshire proposed by the council as part of its bid to reach the Scottish Government’s target of increasing free early learning and childcare from 600 to 1140 hours by 2020.
Residents have long called for additional educational facilities, including both a nursery and a school, due to the huge increase in housing in the area in recent years.
Liisa Hepworth, of Halfway community council, told the Reformer: “It is no secret the area is underresourced and that childcare is a major issue here.
“There aren’t enough nurseries or schools to go round, with the number of families increasing.
“I’ve got three children and have had to go outside the area for their education.
“This is a good step and a welcome move.”
However Liisa says a new nursery alone isn’t enough.
She added: “These are problems like this happening all across Cambuslang.
“There are new developments like Gilbertfield, and more and more families coming here.
“The council needs to do more to meet the demand that is there. This is good for Newton but there are other areas that need facilities too; and it’s disappointing that nowhere else is being looked at.”
The council’s original plans have been scaled back following a funding shortfall.
In March, the local authority submitted information to the Scottish Government for the first phase of its works, which identified seven new builds, six refurbishments or extensions and 17 space to grow projects; plus planning for the provision of hot food, at an estimated cost of £32.24 million.
However, only £19.24 million has been made available, forcing the council to propose projects for areas, “where no other suitable accommodation could be found”.
Cambuslang East councillor Katy Loudon, of the SNP, said: “The Scottish Government are investing almost a billion pounds annually to fund early learning and childcare that will see families’ entitlement almost double.
“I have been contacted by numerous constituents about the availability of childcare in Cambuslang East, and I’m delighted that a new nursery facility for Newton is on the table for approval in phase 1 of the council programme of works.
“All of our proposals are firmly based on the needs of our youngest children and their families, built on a full and wide-ranging consultation.
“This is the most significant expansion of early learning and childcare ever seen in Scotland, and it will transform the life chances of our children.”
Fellow Cambuslang East councillor Walter Brogan, of Labour, welcomed the proposal, but pointed to wider issues with infrastructure in the area.
He said: “It’s a well known fact that we need more coverage in the area, and better infrastructure for schools and nurseries.
“Anything that gets an asset into the area would be welcomed, and we will hear the arguments tomorrow.”
Tony McDaid, executive director of education at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The plans are for a new nursery centre on the site of the old St Charles Primary School.
“Detailed design work has still to be undertaken but the facility could cater for up to 140 two-to four-year-olds.”