Partnership Centre construction starts next Spring
Around £330 million of investment in health and education facilities has been given the go-ahead by Deputy First Minister John Swinney. Among the projects to be given the green light is the long-awaited North West Partnership Centre in Muirhouse (above).
Deputy First Minister John Swinney yesterday advised Parliament that, following an ONS review of proposals developed by the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), he has instructed that ten new schools and two new health projects can now proceed to financial close as soon as possible – delivering an estimated capital investment value of around £330 million.
Mr Swinney said: “The Scottish Government has always prioritised public infrastructure projects as a critical tool for growing our economic recovery.
“In light of the continuing constraint being applied to public finances – including capital budgets – we will continue to take forward programmes supporting additional investment in our economy and our asset base, creating jobs and enhancing services.
“As I have advised Parliament on a number of occasions over the last year, in response to updated EU accounting guidelines the Scottish Futures Trust submitted proposals to the ONS aimed at ensuring that the balance of public and private sector control and risk and reward in Scotland’s hub funding model reflects the updated guidance.
“While that process has been underway, twelve projects in the pipeline have been unable to progress as planned. I have today advised Parliament that these projects can now proceed to financial close as soon as possible.
“From Elgin to Kelso, these twelve projects – worth around £330 million – will make an enormous difference in their communities, not just in the jobs that their construction will bring but in the health and education benefits they will provide to local people.”
Welcoming the announcement Forth Neighbourhood Partnership convener Councillor Cammy Day said: “I am really happy to be sharing the good news that the £12 million NHS -led partnership centre to be located on Muirhouse Crescent/ Pennywell Gardens has now been given the go ahead, with construction expected to start spring 2016.
“This project forms part of twelve new capital investment projects worth £330 million that were given the green light earlier today by John Swinney, Scotland’s finance secretary. This centre will bring much need health services to this area and is an important part of the overall regeneration currently underway.
I would like to thank you for your patience and support over the past year and look forward to seeing the construction of this new centre commence.”
The twelve capital projects given the green light are:
Lothian Health Centre bundle (NHS Lothian) – £25 million
Inverclyde Care Home (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) – £8 million
Kelso High School (Borders Council) – £20 million
Newbattle High School (Midlothian Council) – £35 million
Baldragon Academy (Dundee City Council) – £25 million
Elgin High School (Moray Council) – £25 million
Dalbeattie Learning Campus (Dumfries and Galloway Council) – £25 million
Barrhead High School (East Renfrewshire Council) – £25 million
Our Lady & St Patrick’s High School (West Dunbartonshire Council) – £25 million
Ayr Academy (South Ayrshire Council) – £25 million
Campbeltown Grammar and Oban High School (Argyll and Bute Council) – £55 million
East Ayrshire Learning Campus (Kilmarnock Academy) (East Ayrshire Council) – £40 million
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