MP slams reply to school query

Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart has hit back at claims he was “scaremongering” when he raised concerns about the future of Pitlochry High School.

The SNP member last month asked for assurances that the Highland Perthshire school won’t be closed as part of a region-wide estates review.

Mr Wishart said his response from lifelong learning convener, Conservative councillor Caroline Shiers, was “totally inadequate”.

She told him consultation was under way on the first phase of the review, and parents at Pitlochry - and other schools to be scrutinised - would be contacted in due course about the next stage.

Mr Wishart said: “Through the press Councillor Shiers accused me of trying to scaremonger before a local by-election.

“Now that the by-election has been and gone, I have received a totally inadequate response which manages to say absolutely nothing and gives parents no comfort at all about the future of the school

“I will continue to press this administration on the importance of keeping Pitlochry High School open and I am hoping to meet with parent representatives.”

Ms Shiers declined to comment further. Parents have been invited to comment on the planned closure of Perth’s Balhousie Primary before a report is put to councillors for a final decision later this year.