Council blames "insufficient time" on Mull campus budget bombshell

Iona Community Council (ICC) said Ms Flanagan’s "insufficient time" excuse is "simply not credible".

 

A spokesperson for ICC said: "As Kirsty Flanagan makes clear, the budget settlement was known in late December and the council has been working actively for a number of weeks on options, including an option to drop the replacement of Tobermory High School. The claim that "there was insufficient time for any engagement” is simply not credible. 

 

"Why did council officers and members not communicate with the communities they serve? They know perfectly well the community organisations and representatives to approach. As Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT) has also asked, what evidence is on the table to enable an informed and responsible decision on such a critical issue in such a short time?" 

Mull community member and parent Tracy Mayo said Ms Flanagan’s "insufficient time" comment was both "unacceptable and unforgiveable"  in a digital age.

 

She said Argyll and Bute Council could have flagged up the refurbishment option when Mull Community Council  met last week.

 

"A few minutes to attach the papers and send an email is all it would have taken, is there so little respect for Mull & Iona Communities at council level that this couldn’t be done?" said Ms Mayo.

 

This is Ms Flanagan’s email in full that she sent to a number of community members, representatives and council officials: "The council is in an incredibly challenging financial situation, and we must balance our revenue budget which is facing a £10m gap in 2024-25 with the gap in the capital plan which is almost £30m if you account for the new school and the other cost pressures on the plan.   

 

"As a member of the Council’s Executive Leadership Team, as well as being the council’s Section 95 Officer, I have a responsibility to highlight options open to members that could be considered to close the gap and the new campus on Mull falls into that category. 

 

"Following the Scottish Budget settlement late December, with some detail not provided until January and further cost pressures on the capital programme being identified, there was insufficient time for any engagement. 

 

"The position with the school is well understood by officers and members and if I can be clear, the £9m was set aside over the last two years to help with funding the LEIP programme. 

 

"With the council now facing a £30m capital plan gap, there is now an option open for members to consider a refurbishment as an alternative. The decision will be for council to take on 22 February." 

 

At last week’s policy and resources committee council leader Robin Currie, referred a decision to the full council meeting on February 22.

 

Ross McLaughlin, the authority’s head of commercial services, told the committee: “The forecast cost of the programme now totals £39.12million, and the proposed opening of the new campus would be October 2028.

 

"There is no denying this is a sizeable budget forecast which exceeds the cost of larger schools in Oban and Campbeltown built a few years ago. But it must be remembered that schools that are climate-ready come at a premium.

 

“The cost to the council will also be variable depending on the Scottish Government funding that is provided. The conditions state up to 50 per cent would be provided, but we are aware of councils in previous phases that have achieved as low as 35 per cent.

 

“It must be noted that progressing to an outline business case would require investment of several million pounds in terms of site selection and survey work, as well as consultation with the community.”

 

Mr McLaughlin added that for every five per cent below 50 per cent of the cost provided by the Scottish Government, the council would have to find an extra £2 million.

 

However, the possibilities on that front will not be known until the last quarters of 2025 and 2026.

 

Oban South and the Isles Councillor Andrew Kain said: “While I agree it is too early to say, some things are not too early to anticipate.

 

“The most important is the refurbishment of the existing school – £9million is not going to go far in refurbishment, and a considerable amount of that would be taken up with decamping costs.”

 

Campaigners from Mull and Iona communities are now urging councillors to press for all the necessary information and briefings they need before committing to a decision on February 22. The concern is that otherwise, most councillors will only get the information on the day of the meeting with no time to meaningfully consider it.