Tots become political pawns in funding row

Education: Holyrood gives £5m for early years provision but councillors are sceptical

Angus tots have been caught in the political crossfire of a row over future funding for early years provision.

As part of a drive to almost double the number of hours provided for preschool kids, purpose-built early years centres are to be built in Carnoustie and Forfar capable of accommodating more than 350 youngsters.

The facilities at Pitskelly Park in Carnoustie and a yet-to-be-confirmed Forfar site will be built with a £5 million Scottish Government helping hand. They are the biggest individual construction projects being undertaken as part of the council’s early years expansion.

The Carnoustie centre will be completed by late 2019, with the Forfar campus scheduled for opening by mid2020. Policy and resources committee councillors became embroiled in a row over how provision will be paid for in the longer term.

“This is a good news story for Angus children,” said SNP group leader, Forfar councillor Lynne Devine. “The Scottish Government promised to increase the number of hours for pre-school children to 1,140 from 600 to give as many

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This is a welcome investment, but I have concerns over it lasting. Like in other areas, will the Scottish Government allow our council to continue providing this or will funding be cut? DEREK WANN

children between two and four more opportunities for outdoor learning, language development, vocabulary enrichment, confidence building and social interaction – all basic but essential building blocks for their future learning.

“Now it has put its money where its mouth is and is providing both capital and revenue funding to enable the council not only to enlarge and improve our existing facilities, but to build these two exciting buildings in Carnoustie and Forfar where the demand is highest.

“Members really appreciate the communication which they have had over these, particularly in Carnoustie where they started discussions at the beginning of the year. “

Arbroath East and Lunan Conservative councillor Derek Wann, vice-convener of the area’s children and learning committee said: “This is a welcome investment, but I have concerns over it lasting. Like in other areas, will the Scottish Government allow our council to continue providing this or will our funding be cut?”

Forfar and District Conservative member Braden Davy added: “Like other things this is a great investment but will it last? Parents may come to rely and on this, and children may come to expect it, but will the Scottish Government guarantee the funding will last?

“Like in other areas, will they reduce funding for local projects to pay for failures at Holyrood? Will funding be cut because their recent budget has a huge unexpected black hole?”

Carnoustie Independent Brian Boyd said: “This is great news that we have found the right site in Carnoustie - this will be built where it needs to be.”

gbrown@thecourier.co.uk