Since the start of the current Council Administration in 2017 a total of £107m will have been spent by the end of this financial year as part of a major investment programme across the whole Council estate.
Improvements include new roofs, lighting and ceiling upgrades, installing new boilers, stonework repairs and redecorating school kitchens and dining halls.
The programme is significantly larger than in previous years as a direct result of budget decisions to put additional funds into the Council estate - in total over 75% of the investment, around £84m, has resulted in direct improvements in schools and nurseries.
Much of the work is tackling backlog maintenance requirements identified through condition surveys carried out across the estate. In some of the schools refurbishment work is part of a two-year programme which continues throughout the school year and the Council's Property and Facilities Management teams are working hard with contractors to minimise disruption. Work was prioritised to ensure the Council's primary schools were focussed upon first.
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The works programme will continue throughout the next two years with major projects planned including £1.12m on Central Library, £2.6m on Balerno High School and £1.7m on Leith Academy.
Edinburgh Leisure has also benefitted from Council investment with £4m for upgrades on Dalry Baths/Leith Victoria baths and £0.5m for refurbishment works at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena. Future investment planned also includes £3.3m for Portobello Swim Centre and Warrender Park Swim Centre.
Completed work includes:
• Broughton Primary School saw £1.5m invested which included new low energy, low maintenance LED lighting throughout the school; heating systems upgrade; a new and more efficient boiler plant system and external work to walls and fencing
• Trinity Primary School had £1.4m spent on areas such as new roof, gym hall flooring, lighting, ceiling and toilet and cloakroom upgrades
• St Margaret's Primary School had an investment of £640,000 for external render work, upgrades to toilets, the boiler plant and lighting
Councillor Alasdair Rankin, Finance and Resources Convener, said: "It's great news that this major investment programme by the Administration has broken the £100m barrier. This is a clear sign of our determination to improve the quality, safety and future sustainability of our buildings not only our schools.
"The Central Library is having £1.12m spent on improvements and is a key element of our future plans along with Edinburgh Leisure venues and this much-needed investment will continue as we bring our buildings up to a good condition."
Councillor Ian Perry, Education Convener, said: "Education is a key priority for the Administration and upgrading and improving our schools is an important strand of work to deliver the best learning environment for our young people.
"We're making huge strides to bringing our whole school estate up to a good condition. The Council is investing £193m over five years on a major works programme across the city to improve the quality of our buildings."
(MH/JG)
