St John's

[seanie]

I've put this as a separate topic as it's an aspect of the PHS situation that is being overlooked. I asked COEC about the implications for other Wave 3 schools as PHS is delayed;

Whilst the prioritisation for investment will be a matter for the new Council Administration, the current approved next priority for funding in the Wave 3 school replacement programme is St John’s RC Primary, followed by St Crispin’s Special School.  In the event that the project to build a new Portobello High School on Portobello Park does not proceed and is delayed there would be a three-fold impact:

·         the surplus funding within the new Portobello High School project budget at present of more than £5m (based on the current tender process outcome) could not be released for application to other school estate priorities, including the Wave 3 schools programme, until the matter was resolved;

·         the amount of surplus funding ultimately available for re-allocation could be reduced below the £5m+ currently available as a result of the additional costs arising from any delay to the project as set out above; and

·         for St John’s RC Primary School this would also have a major impact on its ‘readiness to proceed’ which is one of the factors which both the Council and the Scottish Government would consider.  The progression of that project (whatever option was chosen, new build or refurbishment/new build) is entirely dependent on the vacation of the existing Portobello High School to allow part of that site to be released for the extended use of the primary school.  We might have to discount that as an option at present if it could not be delivered within foreseeable timescales.''

[seanie]

In summary;

The tender came in £5M under budget but that can't be allocated to St John's (the next Wave 3 School) until the contract's signed off.

If they re-tender they might lose that £5M.

Whatever they do with St John's (refurb, new-build, extend) NOTHING happens till the PHS site is vacated, as part of the St John'' site is too cramped on its own.

[Sceptic]

As I pointed elsewhere, there is more than just the future of PHS riding on this appeal. remember, one does not know for sure the complexion of the CEC after next month's elctions for one. If the decision goes againsy PPAG, will they carry on? Supreme Court, ECHR? Who knows, I will not call any further action misguided or anything close, it is their right to pursue the matter, if that is their wish, but, they must realise the possible consequences of such a course of action.

[Franck]

The pity is, PPAG won't care about any knock-on's to their action.

[Porty]

Yep- Alison Connelly's recent statement in the EN puts that beyond any doubt.