Councillors in Aberdeen have agreed to spend up to £12.75million buying a Catholic primary school in the city’s west end.
The local authority said last night that the unusual move would “secure the future” of St Joseph’s RC School on Queen’s Road.
Parents were informed of the decision by letter, although the price has still to be finalised between the council and the Society of the Sacred Heart order.
The council – which has sold-off several school buildings in recent years – had been paying the group about £750,000 a year for the lease and maintenance of St Joseph’s, which is the largest of the city’s three Catholic primaries.
It is understood that there had been “some uncertainty” over the continuation and rising cost of the lease after the current arrangement was due to expire in 2017.
The doubts prompted members of the finance committee to approve the purchase at a private meeting last week, with councillors expecting to have paid off the bill for the site within 16 years.
Local Conservative member Ross Thomson, who is vice convener of the finance committee, said: “It is wonderful news that in purchasing St Joseph’s school building we are securing the future of what is a real centre of excellence.
“The high quality of education at St Joseph’s ensures opportunity and positive destinations for our young people.
“I know that the council’s decision will give parents comfort and reassurance over the long-term future of this first-class primary school.”
The city council hopes to take ownership of the school at the end of the current lease on July 31, 2017.
The purchase would include the school buildings, the grounds, and the two homes on the site which are currently occupied by two nuns. It is understood that they will be offered life-time tenancies.
The council is believed to have decided to pay no more than £12.75million, although a final price is still to be agreed.
Aberdeen Central SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said: “I would hope that the Roman Catholic diocese in Aberdeen would come to an agreement with the council to sell the building at a low cost, but get the council to undertake a modernisation programme in St Peter’s and Holy Family, which are in need of repair.”
The city council has sold-off several former schools in recent years, including Causewayend and Victoria Road.
Labour councillor Angela Taylor, convener of the education committee, said: “Unfortunately the previous administration closed schools throughout the city, which is having a knock-on impact on our capacity.”
She added: “Education is a priority for this council and by agreeing to purchase St Joseph’s RC School and its grounds shows a genuine commitment by us, not only to the school community but also to RC education in the city.”
Local Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Greig was on the committee that agreed the sale last week.
He said: “I did ask questions of the committee about this because I wanted to make sure that this was in the best interests of the school community.
“I also wanted to know that particularly the diocese were content with the terms of the transaction.
“It’s reassuring that the longer-term future of St Joseph’s is secured.”
The school, founded in 1896, has about 275 pupils in the primary school and 40 in the nursery.