Dundee education convener Liz Fordyce has said that the £27m rebuilding of Harris Academy “cannot happen overnight” but much work had already been done.
It was originally thought that the Harris rebuild would cost around £18 million, with the Scottish Government through its Scottish Futures Trust paying two-thirds and the city council the rest
However, following discussions between the two, it was decided late last year to look at extending the work, raising the price tag to £27 million. The share-out of the bill will remain the same.
Classrooms at Harris Academy, particularly in the 1930s block, are smaller than recommended for modern teaching practice and the dining hall and social areas for pupils are also inadequate.
A council spokesman said, “The city council is working with the Scottish Futures Trust and will also be taking part in the east central territory hub to deliver the £27m redevelopment and refurbishment of Harris Academy.
“The programme has been budgeted for in the council’s capital plan, but the council only approved involvement with the new hub company arrangements last month. No overall timescale has ever been confirmed but the council will look to deliver this project as quickly as possible.”
She was responding to comments from Laurie Bidwell, her predecessor in the post, who is now education spokesman for the opposition Labour group on the city council.
He claimed the project would be delayed, with work not finishing until 2014, because it had been included in a new system for procuring public buildings.
The Scottish Government has ordered the creation of regional “hubcos” bringing together local authorities, the NHS and private sector partners to work on the planning and procurement of schools, health centres and other facilities.
Dundee is teaming up with Angus, Perth and Kinross, Fife, Clackmannanshire and Stirling councils and Tayside, Fife and Forth Valley health boards.
The school council at Harris, meeting in December, heard it was hoped the rebuilding project could get under way in August next year and last two years.
Mr Bidwell said, “Seven months after the then cabinet secretary for education announced that Harris Academy is to receive government funding for its major refurbishment, I am concerned that we are now no closer to starting work on this major building contract in the city.”
He had been told by council chief executive David Dorward the east central hubco was not expected to be up and running until late 2011/early 2012 and it would probably be mid to late 2012 before construction contracts could be procured.
Mr Bidwell said, “This means that work is unlikely to start on site at Harris Academy until financial year 2012/13 with a finish unlikely before early 2014.
This delay will be disappointing news for parents, carers and teachers at Harris Academy and for the building industry in Dundee.”
He said his group would support “any reasonable way” of speeding the project. He suggested one possibility would be for the council to “front-end” the project, spending its share first to enable to work to get under way earlier.’Achievement’In response the education convener said, “The SNP led administration are hugely proud of our progress in re-building the schools estate in Dundee. A new Harris Academy will be a tremendous achievement for the city.
“Instead of criticising from the sidelines, councillor Bidwell should be congratulating the council on our progress.
“Since forming the administration of the council little over a year ago, a feasibility study has been commissioned, discussions have been held with the Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust and in-principle agreement has been reached for a £27m refurbishment of Harris Academy.
“The SNP administration have moved forward on Harris, unlike the former Labour administration.
“Councillor Bidwell should be well aware of the complexity of such a major project, and aware that it cannot happen overnight.
“It is quite wrong of Councillor Bidwell to attempt to scaremonger on this issue. He should realise that before work can commence the feasibility study needs to be completed, there is a planning and design stage and planning permission needs to be sought and approved.
“Due to the fact that the Harris is a listed building there needs to be considerable input from Historic Scotland. I am sorry Councillor Bidwell has sought to make political capital out of children’s education.”