‘Why is new school cost not in budget?’

A Bishopton councillor has said he felt “dismayed”as the cost of a second Dargavel school was left out of the upcoming year’s budget.

James MacLaren queried the omission at last week’s meeting – claiming it showed a lack of“commitment” to the village he represents.

But council chiefs said a figure was absent because a “formal decision”had not yet been made on the“permanent solution”to capacity issues at the school in Arrochar Drive.

Elected members will be asked to give officers the green light to progress plans for another school at this afternoon’s education board.

But Conservative councillor MacLaren was left perplexed after a report, authored by finance director Alastair MacArthur, said: “Members should note that no provision has been included within the proposed base budget in relation to a permanent solution to the capacity concerns at Dargavel Primary School – this reflects the position that, while additional costs can be anticipated, the proposed solution has not yet been fully established, therefore, there is no basis on which to incorporate a funding solution.

“Future updates to the medium to longer term financial plan will seek to incorporate these costs as they become clear.”

Councillor MacLaren felt this didn’t show “commitment”to the village of Bishopton” when around £73 million was set aside for a new Paisley Grammar School.

He asked for an update on where the money would come from, adding:“We all know a new primary school is required and the sooner the first spade hits the ground, the better.”

Mr MacArthur said: “I have made no provision in terms of whatever the permanent solution for Dargavel school will be because at the moment there is no formal decision as to what the permanent solution will be.

“I think we can all anticipate that a permanent solution is absolutely going to be required but, at this moment in time, I don’t have a basis on which to include a cost, so I’m flagging within the report clearly that my budget doesn’t include a cost at the moment.

“We can all anticipate a cost will be coming and that will need to be incorporated into future budget positions.”

Councillor MacLaren said his understanding was that a new school could cost in the region of £40m – although £20m has been the mooted figure among other elected members.

“I think that something should be in the budget to say that this money is needed and at some point it’s going to have to be spent,”he responded.

“That’s what a budget is for – anticipating expenditure – so I’m a bit dismayed that there’s nothing in the budget about this.”

The SNP administration’s £483m budget passed, backed by independent Andy Doig and Liberal Democrat Anne Hannigan, with a commitment to a five-year £424m capital investment programme.