Silence from Council on school funding concerns

The provost used his powers as chairman to prevent debates taking place on a series of important issues, ruling against a total of six Notices of Motion from various councillors.
  
The issue of future funding for schools was raised in a Notice of Motion from Democratic Independent councillor and Scottish Green Party member Martin Ford.
 
Cllr Ford's Notice of Motion was prompted by fears about how Aberdeenshire Council will pay for its share of the cost of the Western Peripheral Route (WPR).
  
The Council faced difficult decisions anyway due to a combination of cuts in funding and the need to spend on new school buildings.
  
The Scottish Government announced its intention to proceed with the construction of the WPR just before Christmas. Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council have both agreed to pay a share of the total cost.
  
Commenting, Cllr Ford said: "I did not agree with the Scottish Government's decision in favour of the WPR. The priority for transport should be better public transport and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, not more and bigger roads.
  
"But we are where we are. There is now the very real prospect of a very big bill coming the Council's way for its share of the cost of the WPR. Council finances are already under severe pressure, so whatever funding mechanism is used for the WPR, it is not going to be easy for the Council to find the money.
   
"Bluntly, the Council can't afford it. Indications are that the Council is likely to have to find savings in its revenue budget of around £20 million in 2011, then another £20 million in 2012, just to balance the books. It is going to be difficult enough - impossible probably - to maintain existing services.
   
"But the Council has a desperate need to invest in school buildings. Just in my own ward, East Garioch, all four local schools have significant accommodation issues."
   
The four schools in the East Garioch ward are Newmachar (old buildings extended five times), Hatton of Fintray (poor buildings), Kinellar (old buildings and too small) and Kintore (too small).
 
It is still unclear what the final cost of the WPR will be. It is expected to be significantly more than the current top estimate of £395 million. Aberdeenshire Council could easily be facing a bill of £60 million for its share of the total cost.
 
Said Cllr Ford: "The financial pressures on the Council would make it difficult enough to find the money needed for schools even without the WPR.
 
"I am very concerned at the threat posed to other Council spending by the cost of the WPR.
   
"That concern has been heightened by the blocking of all discussion by the Provost."
   
ENDS
  
Note: Cllr Martin Ford's Notice of Motion was: 'Aberdeenshire Council will not divert funding needed for schools to help it meet its share of the cost of the Western Peripheral Route'