MyEDC

    Technical Notes 2024, Issue 206 - Milngavie Primary School Parent Council Update to Report to Council of 19 December 2024 - (EDC/050/24/AD)

    • Report by:

      Greg Bremner, Chief Education Officer

    • TN Number:

      206-24

    • Subject:

      Milngavie Primary School Parent Council Update to Report to Council of 19 December 2024 - (EDC/050/24/AD)

    • Responsible Officer:

      Greg Bremner, Chief Education Officer

    • Publication:

      This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

    • The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide Members with an updated position form Milngavie Primary School Parent Council Chair, Karen Reid which was communicated to myself today.
    • Following a subsequent meeting which took place yesterday afternoon, the Parent Council of Milngavie Primary School have now written with a revised position regarding the potential options referenced in Appendix 3 of “EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE FORWARD INPARTNERSHIP”- Strategic Planning & Performance Update (EDC/050/24/AD)
    • The response from the Parent Council Chair is detailed as follows:

    “Dear Greg

    Thank you for meeting with us yesterday. We have issued the statement below to parents to say we will work with you on your preferred option for the works:

    Following engagement with parents, Milngavie Primary Parent Council are committed to working with East Dunbartonshire Council on their preferred option to repair the school and to ensuring parents’ concerns continue to be addressed, where possible.

    Although we do not have a vote on this at Council and were not consulted on the options in advance, we know the works need to be carried out to preserve, protect and maintain the building. We will support the Council to get this done, with the highest priority being given to the wellbeing of pupils throughout.

    We have raised parents’ concerns with Council Officers and now have assurances that the Council will provide transport to the schools, a solution to wraparound care as well as additional staff to help pupils with their transition. We will continue to seek clarity and detail around these issues.

    If the proposal is approved, the Council has said there will be an ongoing dialogue with the Parent Council throughout the whole process, beginning in January. There will be visits to the schools for pupils in advance of the changes and the Council has given assurances the wellbeing of pupils is its top priority during the works.

    The Council are also confident the timescale for the works is achievable and pupils will be back at Milngavie Primary by August 2026 at the latest.

    The repair works at the school are essential to the building and its future which is why we will support and work with the Council on whatever option is approved.

    The Council agreeing to commit £8million to complete the repairs they previously said could not be done is also very important and we want to make sure that money is protected and spent on the school.

    We have included the results of the survey responses of 226 parents. We believe that these give us a foundation to attempt to navigate a way forward that will be acceptable to many.

    We are aware there will be ongoing concern about the impact of this from many families and will continue to liaise with parents and the Council to ensure pupil wellbeing is treated as the highest priority during the proposed decant.

    Kind regards”

    • During the meeting officers committed to continued engagement with all schools following the decision of Council tomorrow evening.