Published on:
24
September 2020
An update on buildings at ABC ELC, Park Primary ELC and the former CSSS location in Alloa was presented to a special meeting of the Council today.
A previous Council meeting heard about issues with the condition of the ABC ELC (Early Learning & Childcare) building. Further investigations meant that a decision was made not to re-open the building in August, with all children allocated to alternative childcare providers in Clackmannanshire. Council has now agreed to undertake a formal consultation on permanently closing ABC ELC, and offering alternative provision via the nearby Park Primary ELC and other local authority ELC.
The meeting also heard about plans for Park Primary to provide high quality and flexible provision to meet the needs of families who require ELC for work, training or through vulnerability. This would operate in an integrated way with other services such as health, social work and the third sector to meet these needs. A previously agreed contract to undertake an extension and works to Park Primary School and ELC was delayed due to the pandemic, and additional cost items have been identified that were outwith the original scope of works. Council agreed to approve additional funding to meet this cost.
In July, Council was told of serious structural defects at the Clackmannanshire Secondary School Support Building located at Bedford Place Alloa. Options regarding the future of this building will be the subject of a further report, once full structural assessments have been completed.
To provide emergency accommodation for both the Primary and Secondary School Support Service, a refurbishment was approved at the Orchard, Tullibody. The work was completed using a mix of Council trades and existing contracts with the new support school facility opened for the start of term. The education service and property teams collaborated in exceptional circumstances and within tight timescales to ensure an effective transition to meet the needs of all learners and families.
Cllr Graham Lindsay, Spokesperson for Education said: “The health and safety of our young people, staff and families is our priority, and officers have been dealing with a number of challenging issues around education estates. I am grateful for all the work that has happened to ensure that our children continue to receive the very highest quality education provision despite these events.
“I am also pleased to see our Primary and Secondary Support Services so settled at their new location at the Orchard, and thank the staff and families for helping to make sure that everything was ready in time for the new term.
“A full consultation on the potential closure of ABC ELC will now be put together which it is hoped will be completed by the end of the 2020/21 academic year. This will give everyone a chance to see the proposals and to make their views known before a decision is taken.”