So-called “snagging issues” which have marred the opening of several north-east schools could become a thing of the past.
Aberdeenshire Council has brought forward plans to conduct post-occupancy evaluations prior to introducing pupils to its new schools after the first months of the Mearns and Ellon academies were blemished by water problems.
The local authority’s education, learning and leisure committee yesterday heard there are ongoing teething troubles with both Alford and Ellon community campuses.
Speaking during the committee’s learning estates strategy update – which was agreed by the members – Mearns councillor Jean Dick suggested carrying out the evaluations of new builds prior to openings.
She said snagging issues such as those experienced at the new £23million Mearns Academy – which led to an £800,000 overspend – were “giving the council a bad name”.
Mrs Dick added: “Unfortunately officers have been given a lot of extra work because of things going wrong in new builds. I find this so depressing because the Scottish Government has pushed out the boat to build new schools across the country.
“My own school, Mearns Academy community hub, it was delayed by three months. How disappointing was that? It really is appalling for new builds. Ellon has had problems too.”
She added the water issues at Mearns Academy had been completely outwith the council’s control, adding: “These things shouldn’t be happening. Among other things it gives the council a bad name.”
Mearns Academy opened last August, however soon afterwards its water was deemed undrinkable twice and its 640 pupils were forced to resort to coolers and bottled supplies.
The water at Ellon Academy was also unsuitable for drinking for months after it opened.
Chairwoman of the Marr area committee, Moira Ingleby, said: “I think we have had a happy situation at Alford. I think there was a minor issue about water at one point. It has been an extremely successful transition.”