Council leaders in Aberdeen are backtracking on a multimillion-pound pledge to upgrade Victorian-era primary schools across the city.
The city’s Labour-led coalition said in February last year that about £14million would be spent on refurbishments to make the ageing stock fit for the 21st century.
But finance convener Willie Young admitted yesterday the work would not be completed within the term of the current administration and would “absolutely not” include all schools.
The Labour councillor bemoaned a lack of funding from the Scottish Government – but political opponents said parents had been “led up the garden path” and would be left “bitterly disappointed”.
Mr Young said the council had unsuccessfully applied for extra government funding, and plans would be re-evaluated as part of the budget process for the year ahead.
He said: “It would have been good to have got some help to take that forward. Once again, we are being left to do it ourselves and what we are doing is looking at it now and see how we are going to take it forward.
“To be honest, it is not going to be a huge programme. We are not going to be able to do every school in Aberdeen, absolutely not.
“It is about getting a priority list as to what we are going to be doing. You have to remember we are the lowest funded council, we are getting nothing from the Scottish Government.”
Mr Young also highlighted the fact that the administration had committed to funding part of a £32million new academy at Cove, a £16million primary at Newhills and a £15million replacement special needs facility.
Callum McCaig, leader of the main opposition SNP group, said Aberdeen was due to receive an extra £7.5million in funding from government for the year ahead thanks to a deal agreed by the umbrella body the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla).
Mr McCaig added: “We were in a position previously where they said this was possible, now we are getting more money than was projected and suddenly it is not possible.
“This looks like another empty pledge that Willie Young and (council leader) Jenny Laing never had any intention of fulfilling – instead it was to divert attention away from their failed attempts to close schools.
“I think that folk who work in or attend or send children to these schools will be bitterly disappointed that they have been led up the garden path that they would see proper investment in their schools.”
Martin Greig, ward councillor for Hazlehead, Ashley and Queen’s Cross, said council officials had held meetings with parents at Ashley Road Primary to discuss what work was required on the school building.
Mr Greig said: “Parents at all Victorian schools have raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the buildings, it is very unfair to raise expectations falsely.
“The administration should have been honest from the start about the budget available for school improvements. It is important to be realistic about education and what can be spent.”
Midstocket and Rosemount ward member Bill Cormie said Skene Square Primary was another school that isin need of refurbishment work. Parents and staff are also facing the prospect of a new dual carriageway being constructed outside the school gates as part of the council’s Berryden Corridor plans.
Mr Cormie said: “This really is a kick in the teeth for Skene Square in particular, and families here in Rosemount. They will be disappointed, as they were looking forward to some improvements, and there is a lot in the pipeline, with the development of the Berryden Corridor.
“I would have thought there would be money available to mitigate against the impact of that scheme alone.”