Councils cut corners on safety of schools

SCOTLAND’S public sector has been accused of risking children’s lives by failing to maintain close control of school building projects.

A new report into such projects said it was only ‘good fortune’ that there were no deaths when a wall collapsed at Oxgangs Primary School last year.

Following the potentially catastrophic accident, similar building defects were found in dozens of schools across Scotland.

And the hard-hitting new report published by Holyrood’s education committee said it was ‘unacceptable’ that councils had not kept a tighter control of projects.

It also branded the scandal as an ‘embarrassment’ for Scotland’s construction industry.

Around nine tons of masonry fell at Oxgangs Primary School in January 2016 during a storm due to defects in wall construction.

An independent inquiry by Professor John Cole found that only timing and luck meant there were no injuries or deaths.

The report states: ‘The evidence the Committee received raises serious questions about the practices of contractors and sub-contractors that cut corners, resulting in an unacceptable risk to children and the public in general.

‘The Committee heard evidence that local authorities had entered into a specific structure for contracts which created a gap between themselves as clients and the design team. We find this unacceptable.’

The collapse at Oxgangs led to the temporary closure of 17 schools across Edinburgh. Similar defects were detected at other schools in the city and elsewhere in Scotland.

The report says: ‘The Committee heard powerful evidence that it was only good fortune that prevented the collapse at Oxgangs school leading to injury and loss of life.’

Earlier this year, it was revealed that 88 schools have been found to have serious faults. However, 11 councils said they had not done intrusive surveys which are needed to uncover problems.

The report states: ‘The incident at Oxgangs is an embarrassment for the construction industry and it must take the Cole Report as a starting point from which to improve practice.’

In its report, the committee called on the Scottish Government to ensure public procurement guidelines mean ‘contractors do not compromise safety for the sake of speed or reducing costs’.

To boost oversight and ensure safety, it recommends a Clerk of Works be part of every public sector building project.

It is also seeking confirmation from official bodies that they have taken action to ensure buildings are safe.

Committee convener James Dornan said: ‘It is vital that every public body, university and college learn these lessons and ensure that our buildings are safe. Responsibility for public safety must be taken seriously and it not something that can be contracted out.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The safety of everyone using public buildings is an absolute priority.

‘We welcome this report and will fully consider the recommendations and take any necessary actions.’

‘We find this unacceptable’