In a statement responding to today's announcement from the Scottish Government regarding the Learning Estate Investment Programme ( LEIP3), Cllr Stewart, the Highland Council Conservative Group Leader, expressed his disappointment. He said, "Today's news will undoubtedly be a disappointment for the communities of Dunvegan, Beauly, Park, and St Clement's School, who have felt neglected by successive Liberal Democrat, SNP, and Independent Council Administrations."
Commenting on the dire state of the learning estate across Highland, which is ranked as the worst in Scotland, Cllr Stewart highlighted all the schools rejected for LEIP 3 funding were rated as condition C, meaning these schools have major issues that impact the delivery of essential activities for children and communities within the school buildings.
Cllr Stewart expressed his lack of surprise at this announcement, citing the removal of the schools from the council's five-year capital programme just last month. He remarked, "Once again, the communities of Highland find themselves let down by the Councils SNP/'Independent' administration, which has consistently failed to prioritise the needs of our school communities. It is extremely disappointing that despite calls from the opposition these schools were removed from the capital programme. Given the lack of commitment from the council and the competitive nature of the LEIP 3 funding, it should come as no surprise that this funding was not forthcoming."
Cllr Stewart criticised both the council and the SNP/Green administration in Holyrood for what he has called an “abandonment of our school communities”. He emphasised that the absence of LEIP funding does not negate the urgent requirement for investment in the Dunvegan, Beauly, Park, and St Clement's schools. Cllr Stewart pledged that he and his colleagues would continue to press the administration to invest in the learning estate and prioritise the well-being and future of Highland's young people.