PARENTS and people in the community have been lobbying councillors requesting their empty schools are closed for good, it has been revealed.
Dumfries and Galloway Council has been implementing a “mothballing” policy – which effectively leaves schools and communities in limbo with no firm decision taken over a building’s future.
Ae, Carpshairn, Hottsbridge, Kirkbean, Palnackie, St Ninian’s RC, and Tundergarth (above) primary schools have all to remain in this uncertain position under plans by education bosses. However, at last week’s education committee, it emerged that Palnackie parents have been demanding that the school is closed.
Meanwhile, Carsphairn residents have also been emailing councillors pleading for an end to mothballing – so that they can move forward with plans to bring the building into use for the community.
North West Dumfries Councillor Paula Stevenson said: “On Carsphairn Primary, I think we’ve all had emails from the community council who are looking to do an asset transfer for the school.
“Obviously it’s still a school, so it’s still mothballed, and that’s one of the frustrations of mothballing – the community can’t do anything with it and we’re sitting with an empty building until we decide what’s going to happen.
“We’ve got a really good example here of a community wanting to take over a school. They’re wanting to take over the building and bring into back into community life.
“I think that’s something that’s really important, and we need to acknowledge it. A council education spokeswoman said that in cases where parents request the authority to take action “it would be remiss of us not to take that on board, and not to work with them.”
Villagers in Ae have already proven what’s possible after turning mothballed Ae Primary in Dumfries into a community centre.
The keys to the school in Dumfries were handed to the village’s community council over a year ago in order for the building to be utilised for running clubs, social events, celebrations for Christmas, Easter and Burns Day, as well as regular community council meetings.
Councillors agreed to offer the community council a two-year lease and talks took place between the group and council officers around costs and potential reduction in rates due to limited funds.
Lochar Councillor Maureen Johnstone, chair of the education committee, said last week: “Ae Community Council has been really successful in taking over the primary school, and it’s going quite smoothly.”
