PARENTS have “no confidence” in council chiefs as the fallout from a school capacity saga – which could cost £75million – intensifies in Renfrewshire.
Dargavel Primary School Parent Council released a statement saying it will “cease cooperation” with the local authority over the “horrendous historical error” which saw the facility in Arrochar Drive, Bishopton, built too small.
The Herald revealed in November that the brand new £18m school building should have been able to accommodate 1,100 pupils, but due to an “error” by officials, the new building can only hold 430 kids.
Humza Yousaf previously told MSPs he would need to take money away from other schools to help fix the £75m education blunder.
Last week, in a paper sent to councillors, education chiefs at cash-strapped Renfrewshire Council admitted that the cost of fixing the problem would be far more than previously thought.
The parent group believes there has been a lack of “urgency” to address the issues that have arisen from the debacle and has lost faith in chief executive Alan Russell, outgoing director of children’s services Steven Quinn and head of education Julie Calder.
Alan Kelly, parent council chair, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “People are talking about putting their house up for sale because it’s, ‘where are my kids going to go to school?’
“It’s really going to damage a community that should be growing, thriving and developing. It’s going to rip it to bits. I’m really, really concerned.”
Education bosses are planning a second second primary school for Dargavel Village and an extension for the associated Park Mains High School.
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 situation expected to require “prudential borrowing”.
Concerns have been raised about Quinn’s impending departure to East Renfrewshire Council, where he will become chief executive, a perceived lack of transparency over the fiasco, the state of planning for the new primary and sufficiency of the high school extension.
A letter sent by Mr Kelly to senior officers and elected members added: “It is noted that Steven Quinn, who asked parents to give him the opportunity to earn their confidence, who assured parents he would ensure the schooling issue was resolved, is leaving for a new job in a new council area.
“What more sign is needed that the council is in disarray?
“Sadly, many residents of Dargavel will be forced to do the same as Steven – move to a new council area – but one with suitable school provision, and adequate leadership.
“Renfrewshire Council committed to engaging openly and transparently with us on the subject of roll concerns at Dargavel Primary School. This has not happened.
“The chief executive of Renfrewshire Council has been unable to share a project plan for the construction of the new school.
“That’s a basic requirement, that a competent authority, with adequate leadership would have.
“Noting that there is no land agreed, no design, no budget, and now it seems not even a project plan, we have no confidence that the new school will be opened by August 2026.”
Criticism was also directed at SNP council leader Iain Nicolson, who the group felt had politicised the issue when making comments about the legacy of Labour PFI school building at Thursday’s education board, and convener Emma Rodden for not intervening.
“It is our recommendation that Iain Nicolson and Emma Rodden consider their positions due to their behaviour,” the letter said.
A council spokesperson said: “We understand this is a very worrying situation for Dargavel parents and carers and we wish to continue to work with the parent council to progress a solution as quickly as possible. We fully acknowledge and understand their frustration.
“Once the problem was identified, we acted immediately to put the right governance in place, commissioned an external review to fully understand and learn from the historical circumstances and have apologised for not addressing community concerns earlier.
“None of the senior officers who contributed to the significant school roll error remain with the council, and the current team are fully committed to working with the parent council and getting it right for the children and families of Dargavel and Bishopton.
“Officers are progressing the delivery of new school buildings at a significant pace.
“We have full confidence in our plans to increase primary and secondary provision to meet the revised, projected demand, and remain committed to a strategic review of secondary provision in the area.”
