Background and Vision

‘ Ag Obair Còmhla airson nan Eilean’ - ‘ Working Together for the Western Isles ‘

The Comhairle is the Local Authority which covers the group of islands located off the North West coast of Scotland, known as the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides. The Western Isles are characterised by an ageing population and a tendency of migration to the mainland. Despite a high quality landscape and environment, the islands have witnessed a decline in the population of 10% in recent years. This has had an impact on the school population which has resulted in an imbalance between school provision and present and projected pupil numbers which has justified the consolidation of educational provision. The Comhairle has continually addressed the imbalance between school provision and falling occupancy levels through its Rationalisation Strategy. In parallel to this the Comhairle has pursued a programme of capital improvements to existing schools. In response to a Scottish Parliamentary Inquiry, however the Comhairle identified the need for an additional £38 million worth of repairs and improvements to its schools estate. The identification of this need was a key driver to the development of the original business case for the schools project.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is committed to delivering its vision of new, modern, state of the art schools that are well-equipped and secure places for the young people of the Western Isles. The Comhairle acknowledges the challenge that is presented by its pursuit of a revitalised school estate with high quality learning facilities that are fit for the 21st Century. The Comhairle, however, has every confidence that the proposed PPP arrangements make the scheme affordable and one that will enhance education provision for its pupils beyond expectations. The Comhairle, through its PPP Project Board and Special Purpose Vehicle Company will engage actively and positively with the private sector to achieve this aim.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is currently working in conjunction with external advisers to progress the project: Turner and Townsend, Glasgow - Technical Advisers, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Edinburgh – Financial Advisers and Shepherd & Wedderburn, Glasgow – Legal Advisers. Architecture and Design Scotland are also involved in the project.

Education Vision

Within the framework of the community vision, the Comhairle has identified its goals for its Education Vision:

• To deliver a coherent, balanced, relevant, differentiated and bilingual curriculum in accordance with national and local priorities and policies
• To review service provision on a continuing basis, having regard for local circumstances, national priorities and the needs and expectations of all stakeholders
• To establish a quality culture with the aim of raising standards of education
• To ensure the quality delivery of services to all client groups with non-discriminatory access to educational opportunities for all
• To develop curricular provision to enable all users of the service to realise their full potential in society by promoting and encouraging inclusion and lifelong learning
• To ensure Best Value in the management of finance and ensure that resources are used to optimise benefits to all users of the service

Education Business Plan

The Department of Education’s objectives as outlined in its Business Plan are:

• To raise standards of educational attainment for all in schools, especially in the core skills of literacy and numeracy and to achieve better levels in national measures of attainment including examination results
• To support and develop the skills of teachers, self-discipline of pupils and to enhance school environments so that they are conducive to teaching and learning
• To promote equality and help every pupil to benefit from education with particular regard paid to pupils with disabilities and special educational needs, and to Gaelic and other lesser used languages
• To work with parents to teach pupils respect for self and one another and their interdependence with other members of their neighbourhood and society and to teach them the duties and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society
• To equip pupils with the foundation skills, attitudes and expectations necessary to prosper in a changing society and to encourage creativity and ambition

These objectives are in line with the strategic priorities of the Comhairle.

The Comhairle, as the client, is committed to procuring the schools through a Hybrid PPP Model, which is outlined above. The Comhairle will borrow money from the Public Works Loan Board to fund the capital costs of the new schools.

The Comhairle will set up the Special Purpose Vehicle and intends to own 100% of that SPV; the Contract between the Comhairle and the SPV will be based on the Standard Scottish Schools Contract. The Comhairle will provide the SPV with the Brief and Output Specification for the schools.