The Evening Express reports tonight that some remedial work is to be carried out on a number of Aberdeenshire schools – including Portlethen Academy – following checks prompted by the Edinburgh tragedy when a wall fell down resulting in the death of a pupil.
Back in April councillors were told by council officers that while “some remediation works will be required to the schools listed below, we would stress that our engineers have advised that there is no immediate safety risk.”
The schools listed were Banff Primary, Hill of Banchory Primary, Kintore Primary, Longside Primary, Meldrum Academy, Oldmeldrum Primary, Portlethen Academy, Rosehearty Primary, and Rothienorman Primary.
Intrusive surveys were undertaken at Hill of Banchory, Kintore, and Longside primary schools, and Meldrum and Portlethen academies.
On Thursday there will be a report to full council, which is what prompted the Evening Express coverage. Included in that report is an assurance from the company responsible that there is no immediate threat to the users of the schools or the general public.
The remediation works are to be carried out in the summer holiday period, at no cost to the council. No details of the programme have been shared as yet.
I was asked if the remedial work at the academy during the school holidays would impact on the Portlethen Gala on 19 August. Here is the response I received from Allan Whyte, Aberdeenshire Council’s head of property and facilities management: “I shall ensure that the programme of any remedial works to Portlethen Academy will not impact on the town gala.”
The report can be viewed on the council website (item 9) at http://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=1&meetid=18729
Here is the link to the Evening Express story: https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/5-aberdeenshire-schools-facing-repairs-wall-defects/?utm_content=buffer5b7a1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer