Plans to spend £75 million to fix Scots school capacity debacle branded 'sticking plaster'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Plans to fork out as much £75 million to tackle a school capacity saga in Renfrewshire have been branded an “expensive sticking plaster”.Council chiefs are planning a second primary school for Dargavel Village and an extension for the associated Park Mains High School.It has been revealed the newbuild for 800 pupils could cost between £42m and £45m while a secondary school expansion from 1,600 to 2,000 could set them back between £27m and 30m – a stark situation expected to require “prudential borrowing”.The education and children’s services policy board met to consider proposals last Thursday but Councillor Gillian Graham, Labour group education spokesperson, cast concerns over the project.She said: “We’ve got before us a report that lacks figures and measurables and asks elected members to agree a spend of £75m with no evident options appraisals.“On projects such as this, we’d expect to see a masterplan which would take the overall new community, break it down according to the nature of where and when the houses are being constructed and plan the necessary educational infrastructure accordingly.Renfrewshire Live, the new free app dedicated to bringing you around the clock breaking news, is now available to download.Powered by the Paisley Daily Express, Renfrewshire Live is your go-to source for news, features and sport with live coverage provided direct to the app, seven days a week.The dedicated team of experienced journalists, responsible for the publication of the award-winning Express, will focus on breaking news, day and night, across Renfrewshire’s towns and villages.There is also a dedicated St Mirren section that will follow every kick of the ball with the Buddies. Available on both Android and Apple.