LOCAL NEWS JUNE 29 2023

 

Scottish Goverment “hindering” new Skye school build

Skye and Raasay Councillor Ruraidh Stewart accused the Scottish Goverment of hindering the construction of new primary school for Broadford and said there is no further room for delay on the project.

At present, the Highland Council is not able to precede with its current plans, or plan for future capitals projects, until the Scottish Goverment announces round three of Learning Estate Investment Programme.

The decision was expected to be made in December 2022.

Commenting to Radio Skye, Councillor Stewart described the conditions of the current school building at Broadford as deplorable, and claimed that surveys had revealed a third of the students at the school suffer from breathing problems due to dampness.

Meanwhile, the delay in the LEIP funding award also affects the pathway for a much-needed new primary school for Dunvegan.

The school building in north Skye has been affected by flooding and recurring damp and mould.

In an update sent to MSP Kate Forbes on Wednesday, which has been shared with Radio Skye, Scottish Education secretary Jenny Gilruth said that further time was needed to decide which projects would form part of phase three.

She said the delay was due to impact of market volatility on current projects and price increases.

Ms Gilruth said, and it is important that we get them right. However, I am committed to announcing the successful phase 3 projects as soon as possible.

Contentious HPMA plans halted

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan has today halted controversial plans to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas in Scotland’s water.

Ms McAllan made the announcement during a ministerial statement to Scottish Parliament on Thursday afternoon (29th June@

The minster said responses to the original consultation will continue to be analysed and that a further update would follow the summer recess.

Reacting to the announcement, Skye and Lochalsh’s MSP Kate Forbes welcomed the decision and urged island communities to continue to engage with future marine protection consultations.

Ms Forbes said it was a welcome change in tack by the Scottish Government.

But added that it was now critical that any new proposals for marine protected areas consider communities’ views, fishermen’s lived experiences and the importance of a truly just transition.

Scotland’s current Marine Protected network includes sites for nature conservation, protection of biodiversity and covers approximately 37 per cent of our seas.

However, the Scottish Government planned to introduce HPMAs in 10 per cent of Scotland’s seas.

Portree Nursery has today closed it waiting list for children under three due to staffing ratios and industry guidelines.

A spokesperson for the nursery said that the decision had been made with regret but had to be taken because of care inspectorate restrictions of the number of children attending at any one time.

Earlier this week the Highland Council launched a childcare survey to gauge the needs of parents across Skye and Raasay.

The questionnaire followed a childcare crisis meeting held in Portree earlier this month.

Portree Nursery announced the news via social media.

Opening of new Skye playpark delayed

The opening of a new £120,000 play park on Skye is set to be delayed due to issue concerning insurance.

The Matheson Place Play Park group which is overseeing the project, is part of the Portree and Braes Community Trust.

In an update today, the group said that signage was still to be installed while a few minor need to be resolved to satisfy the insurance policy.

The group said the hope to have the issues addressed by the end of the week so the park in Portree could be open on Saturday in time for the school holidays.

However, the group which has been led by Portree resident Tiffany Maberley – pictured above left with fellow volunteer Fiona Stoddart –  said that official opening of the park would take place in either July or August to allow more time to organise the celebration.

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