A funding programme behind a raft of community infrastructure projects including schools and healthcare facilities has delivered schemes worth £135million in its latest financial year.
The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), a public corporation of the Scottish Government, said it had achieved “value for money” in designing and building public infrastructure such as schools, roads and hospitals, or more recently on infrastructure for digital communications.
SFT also looks at where public sector buildings can be used more efficiently and effectively.
In the north and north-east, the SFT has funded and commissioned the development of the £32.4million Alford Community Campus, the £35.4million Inverness Royal Academy and the £36.5million Wick Community Campus.
The organisation said it has also developed an “innovative approach” to attract £6billion of private sector infrastructure investment across Scotland’s cities, it said.
Each year it is expected to achieve “savings and benefits value” between £100-£150million, with the 2014/15 figure landing “right on target”, it said.
Veteran banker Sir Angus Grossart, who pioneered the concept behind SFT and who remains its chairman, said: “With no let-up to the pressure public sector organisations are under, SFT is doing all it can to squeeze the maximum value out of every pound invested and secure additional sources of investment in Scotland’s essential infrastructure.
“Central to SFT’s success in delivering £135million of savings and benefits this year has been purposeful collaboration with local authorities, health boards and other public bodies across Scotland to unlock value from the numerous infrastructure projects they deliver.”
Barry White, SFT’s chief executive said: “Ultimately, the impact of SFT’s work helps make a difference to people’s lives; whether that is helping secure future employment; opening up new training and apprenticeship opportunities; implementing initiatives to help protect the environment; expanding access to superfast broadband or by improving working environments by having flexible, well designed buildings.
“In addition, the many projects currently under construction across SFT’s varied work streams are impacting positively on Scotland’s economy, with Scotland’s construction industry witnessing significant growth at over 18% for the last year.”