A major target in the delivery of what will be the single largest investment by the Comhairle since its inception in the 1970’s was achieved at its recent series of meetings.

The Western Isles Schools Project aims to replace or significantly upgrade a programme of five schools across the Outer Hebrides and an important part of this has been the establishment of Sgoiltean Ùra.  This is an arms-length partnership wholly owned by the Comhairle and has been created to take forward the design, procurement and facilities management of the schools at Point, the Nicolson Institute, West Side, Sir E Scott School and Balivanich.

Cllr. Angus Campbell, Chair of the Sgoiltean Ùra Board, said: “we are delighted to have reached this important stage and very much look forward to now working with the Comhairle, the Education Department and the teachers, pupils and wider communities served by the respective schools in endeavouring to meet their needs and aspirations.”

“The Comhairle’s decision to discontinue S1/S2 provision at Bayble will now enable Sgoiltean Ùra and its private sector partners and design teams to make an immediate start on the design of a new replacement school for the community in Point.”

In addition to a proper start on the design of projects at Sir E Scott School, Balivanich School and a new school for the Westside, Sgoiltean Ùra will be initially carrying out a detailed appraisal of options relating to the replacement of the Nicolson Institute.

Mr Campbell continued “The Nicolson Institute has an iconic position within the heritage and community of the Outer Hebrides.  The replacement of the school represents the largest element of the Schools Programme and we would wish to ensure that the final solution meets the demands of education provision for the 21st century.”

“The initial piece of work will be to quickly but fully compare costs and operational aspects of an extensive refurbishment of the existing school with the construction of a new school, either at a greenfield site adjacent to the current school or at another site elsewhere in or around Stornoway.   A final recommendation will be made to the Comhairle as education authority and, once a final decision has been made by them, we can make a proper start on the relevant design and procurement works.”

“In addition to the recent appointment of Chris Banks and Alasdair Barn as external Board Members for Sgoiltean Ùra we are also delighted to confirm the appointment of Iain Mackinnon, the Comhairle’s Director of Technical Services, as Executive Director for Sgoiltean Ùra.”

Mr Mackinnon commented that the delivery of such a large investment programme will represent a significant technical and commercial challenge for Sgoiltean Ùra.  “I am however confident that, by working closely with the Comhairle and the stakeholders in the schools and communities themselves we can deliver excellent, fit-for-purpose solutions within the resources available.”

“A further major aim of the programme is to maximise opportunities for local construction and engineering firms and suppliers over the construction period and it is important that the local companies can work together to ensure the majority of the economic benefit arising from the Schools Programme remains in the islands.  In this respect, it will also be important for Sgoiltean Ùra to work closely with other major public and private sector clients such as the Hebridean Housing Partnership, Scottish Water and the Comhairle itself.”

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk