Clarity Sought Over School Plans

Fife's Labour-led administration is being urged to 'come clean' on its plans for the region's schools.

Six million pounds of funding was pledged 18 months ago, but the SNP says the administration has been silent since then.

Its education spokesman, Douglas Chapman, claims when he asked about it, he was told: "We'll get back to you".

Cllr Chapman said "Following Fife Labour's extensive school closure programme the people of Fife were promised a £6m investment in Fife schools. Some saw this as a cynical bribe based on the assumption that if the Council closed these schools then other schools will receive a significant investment. We are now at the stage where Labour have closed the schools they wanted to close, but they remain strangely silent on the promised £6m investment. Another vow undelivered!
 
"The reply from the Council Leader to the SNP question today is totally unacceptable. This a huge and significant investment in Fife schools and for the response to be "we'll get back to you" is a second kick in the teeth to Fife’s parents and children who expected their local school to be upgraded.

"A glib "we'll get back to you" response from the Labour Administration is not acceptable." He added.

"We are calling for a report to the next Executive which will not only confirm the £6m new money investment, but will outline details of the funding package, what improvements will be made and timescales for delivery."

Fife Council's Education spokesman, Councillor Bryan Poole said: "I'm afraid Cllr Chapman is being a little disingenuous with his latest statement to
the media. Cllr Chapman was advised at the Scrutiny Committee, which met within the last fortnight, that a report was being prepared for the Executive Committee so quite why he's 'calling for a report to the next Executive...........' is frankly baffling. I'm sure he recalls he was advised of this a fortnight ago.

"If Douglas paid more attention and/or read reports he would know that part of the investment was earmarked for upgrading the IT provision in the receiving schools- this was agreed by Executive Committee in 2013. Our officers will be bringing forward the details for the remainder of the investment to an early meeting of the Executive Committee of Fife Council.

"The reality behind Cllr Chapman's statement is of course his infatuation with trying to score petty political points which people who live in the real world are thoroughly fed up with. I've had the responsibility for Fife Council's Education Portfolio for just over two and a half years and all I've heard from Douglas is a carping from the sidelines. I know he's capable of more than this and I sincerely hope he knocks on my door sometime soon with some positive ideas thus using his talents in a more constructive way."