Investment of £1.2m to demolish defective block at Thurso High School agreed by Council.

Members at the meeting of today’s Highland Council voted in favour of a Notice of Amendment to a decision taken at Caithness Committee regarding options for repairs to Thurso High School, which committed capital spend of £7.5m.

The decision today will mean that plans will now progress to demolish Block A of Thurso High School due to significant structural defects, and the site and adjoining blocks will be made good at a cost of £1.2m. The future of the site and the rest of the Thurso High School campus will be part of the agreed review of the Council’s capital programme.

Leader of the Highland Council Raymond Bremner said: “Today’s discussion at full Council was about achieving best value outcome and fairness across the Highland Council’s education estate.

“The Council has limited capital funding and only the Council can authorise what that money can be spent on. There is already a process in place that is considering long-term options for Thurso High School. Thurso High School and others across the education estate will be discussed at a capital plan review after the council recess.

“As a Caithness member and also as Leader of the Highland Council, I need to make sure that we consider the interests of all members and their communities.

“What we have agreed today doesn’t take away from local members making their views known; that was clearly done today and at the Caithness Committee. However, the proper procedure is to allow the process of the Housing and Property committee to fully scope the long-term options and the overall cost to the capital plan.”