Spare schools from WPR funding squeeze

Democratic Independent councillor Martin Ford has submitted a formal Notice of Motion for next week's meeting of the full Aberdeenshire Council on 21 January. His motion is:

'Aberdeenshire Council will not divert funding needed for schools to help it meet its share of the cost of the Western Peripheral Route'

Said Cllr Ford: "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.

"And, yes, it is still possible that construction of the WPR will be delayed or prevented by a threatened legal challenge.

"But 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.

"I want to make sure schools don't lose out. 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).

Said Cllr Ford: "No-one knows 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.

"Considerable financial and technical work will have to be carried out by Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government and the two councils before funding decsions are taken.

"I think it right though that elected councillors set some parameters for Council officers before the technical work starts. It is the job of councillors to give strategic direction.

"The Council should make it clear from the outset that Aberdeenshire schools will not lose out because of the Scottish Government's decision on the WPR."

 Councillor Martin Ford sits as a Democratic Independent on Aberdeenshire Council and is a member of the Scottish Green Party.