Two Highland schools nominated for Phase 2 of Learning Estate Improvement Programme

At today’s meeting of the Highland Council, elected members were updated on the Learning Estate Improvement Programme (LEIP), which is the Scottish Government’s new funding model for school investment projects.

This update follows on from a special meeting of Highland Council on 1 October 2020, during which elected members agreed that Broadford Primary School should be nominated as the Council’s priority for consideration by the Scottish Government for inclusion in Phase 2 of the LEIP.  In addition, Nairn Academy was also nominated as the next priority.

The update provided to full Council today confirmed that a formal response had been submitted to Scottish Government by Donna Manson, Highland Council Chief Executive, on 14 October stating these nominations.

In addition, Highland Council’s response also outlined how the authority was well placed to participate in Phase 2 of LEIP with a clearly defined list of priorities for investment and a commitment to provide the capital funding necessary to support this approach.

Cllr John Finlayson, Chair of the Education Committee and councillor for Ward 10 (Eilean a' Cheò), said:  “The council decision to support Broadford as Highland’s number one priority for LEIP funding with Nairn as number two is clearly good news for these two communities and I remain hopeful that these nominations will be looked on favourably by the Scottish Government.”

He continued:  “The importance of investing in our school estate remains a key priority for all members and all communities and hopefully going forward we can continue to build new schools and upgrade others and invest in the future of our young people even in these difficult financial times.”

Both nominations are now under Scottish Government’s consideration and an announcement on which Phase 2 funding bids have been successful is expected in December.

-ENDS-

29 Oct 2020