Council says making improvements to high schools is a priority

education: New agreement between Labour and SNP to put the schools first

Fife Council’s new administration has pledged its commitment to renewing or replacing high schools in west Fife and Glenrothes.

A joint power sharing agreement between Labour and the SNP has indicated ambitions to ensure all schools in the region meet high standards of condition and suitability.

The local authority now feels it is in a better position than ever to secure the Scottish Government money needed to upgrade Inverkeithing, St Columba’s and Woodmill in west Fife as well as Glenrothes and Glenwood high schools.

It will also continue work to deliver a much-needed new Madras College for St Andrews at its preferred Langlands site.

The previous Labour administration allocated £50 million in its capital programme towards the cost of the new schools but it requires a further £150m from Holyrood.

The campaign for new schools in Dunfermline has been running for two years, although education minister John Swinney said Fife Council had received probably more than their fair share of funding from the Scottish Government.

This was spent on new schools in Levenmouth, Kirkcaldy and Anstruther.

Joint council leader David Ross said there was consensus between Labour and the SNP that the west Fife and Glenrothes schools were now priorities.

“We don’t think anybody disagrees with that,” he said.

“There is £50m in our capital budget for it but we will have to see if funding is available from the Scottish Government to complete it.”

Fellow council leader David Alexander said: “I think we are all on the same page here but it all comes down to how we do it.

“We can’t do rebuilds without Scottish Government money.”

The previous administration invested more than £4m in primary schools in Dunfermline, including a brand new nursery at Lynburn Primary, and opened a new Dunfermline High School.

But St Columba’s, Woodmill and Inverkeithing now require investment because of their condition.

In Glenrothes, a brand new Auchmuty High opened recently in the east of the town but Glenrothes and Glenwood high schools need upgraded.

There is £50 million in our capital budget for it but we will have to see if funding is available from the Scottish Government to complete it. JOINT COUNCIL LEADER DAVID ROSS

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Levenmouth Academy pupils, from left, Ross Kinnimont, Amy Newell, Stuart McKay and Aaron Notnan with Deputy First Minister John Swinney.