Moray’s SNP group was last night blamed for the region’s schools crisis.
Council convener Allan Wright claimed the authority would not be facing an impossible £60million repairs bill if the group had not backed down on school closure plans two years ago.
The opposition group made an unexpected U-turn in 2014, opposing a review of rural schools across Moray.
Now the buildings have been ranked as the worst in Scotland, with the council facing the prospect of emergency closures and a repair bill of £57million.
Last night, Mr Wright said the council is counting the cost of the SNP backing away from the “political hot potato” that was aimed at setting a long-term strategy.
The councillor – who quit as leader after losing the vote in 2014 – said: “It was a major step backwards and it ended up with us having a five-year moratorium on rationalisation. I thought that was a dreadful move and that’s why I resigned as leader.
“I thought there was enough recommendations in the review that we paid consultants to carry out to be worthwhile of further consideration.”
He insisted that if the closures had gone ahead, the schools that had remained open would be in better condition – and that the council would be better placed to provide “better and more comprehensive education” for youngsters.
Another review of schools has already started with the possibility of closures in rural communities on the table again.
Angry discussions took place in the council chambers last week as officers admitted resources were now being spent on preventing emergency closures due to health and safety breaches.
Mr Wright’s vision of fewer – but better – schools in Moray would result in pupils going to schools in larger towns from nursery until they leave for further education or employment.
He said: “It makes so much sense. Even the best youngsters can struggle when they go to a secondary school which is miles and miles removed from where they went to primary school.
“If they go to the same campus from the age of three to 18 then it helps children to follow through on their studies. When you think about it, it’s so obvious.
“Things like that can be done in Moray but they can’t be done without some sensible rationalisation of the school estate.
“If you asked people if they preferred having two old schools or a bigger new school I think they would prefer the new one.”
Members of the public are now being urged to have their say on education spending in the council’s budget consultation.
But the local SNP group is urging the priority to remain on maintaining the classrooms that are already there instead of replacing them.
Leader Gary Coull said: “We are absolutely clear that we will not support closing schools unless there is an educational benefit for the children affected.
“Councillor Wright has yet to prove that shutting any schools in Moray will deliver that. Perhaps this administration should concentrate on what is happening within the buildings rather than trotting out the same mantra of closing schools.
“Moray is way behind other councils in Scotland who seem to have managed to keep on top of their buildings despite the economic situation.
“Independents and Tories have been in power for the past 17 years and this is what we have to show for it.”
