A dedicated team could soon be appointed to ensure there are no structural defects in Aberdeenshire Council’s buildings in the future.
The proposal comes on the back of the Edinburgh schools scandal, where 17 facilities were forced to close after a wall collapsed at Oxgangs Primary School in January 2016.
Last year’s tragedy at Grenfell has also prompted councils across the country to examine their buildings for any endemic faults, particularly those procured through private and public partnerships (PPP) or private finance initiatives (PFI) contracts.
Aberdeenshire Council’s own surveys found there were similar structural defects found Oxgangs at Portlethen and Meldrum academies, Hill of Banchory, Kintore, Longside, Banff, Oldmeldrum, Rothienorman and Rosehearty.
Aberdeenshire school repairs move forward following Edinburgh defects scandal
However, the authority has previously stressed the issues are not as severe as those discovered in the capital.
Now the council is proposing to spend £140,000 on a new core team which would examine every property in its estate on a five-year rolling programme.
The team would be charged with carrying out regular surveys at all 659 of its buildings which are currently in use. This includes 187 schools.
A report, which will be discussed by full council next week, highlights a “systematic failure” in the design of certain structural aspects of schools built during this era all over Scotland.
Four councils have experienced wall collapses akin to the capital, with about half uncovering similar issues that required repairs.
And in December, Portlethen Academy was forced to temporarily close due to concerns over its external walls holding up against high winds brought on by Storm Caroline.
In addition, outside of structural problems, “latent defects” have been identified at Ellon Academy’s pitches, footbridge and a heating system, and Mearns Academy’s sports field in Laurencekirk.
Discussions are currently ongoing to resolve these issues and the Press and Journal understands that none of the problems are serious or safety-related.
The report states that this will help the council to regularly report to the Scottish Government and allow them to collate data more easily.
Councillors will be asked to approve the plans on Thursday.
