Almost £60k spent on repairs at Milngavie school in five months

Through a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Glasgow Times, it has been revealed that between April 1, 2020, and August 31, 2024, East Dunbartonshire Council has spent £165,332 on repairs at Milngavie Primary School.  

A total of £59,731 of that amount has been spent on repairs at the school from April 1 to August 31 this year.  

READ NEXT: Parents ‘angry’ as primary school refurbishment postponed ‘indefinitely’

Mushrooms in the staff bathroom (Image: Supplied) A council spokesperson said the repairs, which included roofing work, were planned regardless of the refurbishment being postponed and said costs have risen due to inflation. 

According to the Milngavie Primary School Planned Works Easter/ Summer 2024 document other work that has taken place includes repairs to floors, patches of walls and window frames.  

We previously reported parents at the school have been left “angry” and “disappointed” that the school’s refurbishment, agreed by the council in 2021, has been pushed back.  

(Image: Supplied) A spokesperson for Milngavie Primary Parent Council says the council has not invested enough money repairing and maintaining the school. 

They said: “The council has delayed much-needed works and repairs at the school because of the planned refurbishment and this needs to be addressed.  

“The council must commit to carrying out the essential repairs to make the building wind and watertight by replacing the roofs and windows rather than continuing to escalate maintenance costs on temporary patch repairs.  

“Our children deserve to learn in an environment where they can thrive, not one that contains damp and mould.  

“Immediate action is needed to carry out essential works at the school to ensure it is returned to a safe, healthy and secure environment for the children and teachers alike.  

“The council is failing our children by delaying these works and if they cannot proceed then the Scottish Government must step in and fund the urgent repairs.”

(Image: Supplied) Issues with the building include water dripping from the ceiling, mushrooms growing from the walls, black mould, ceiling tiles coming down and toilets flooding constantly with children coming home “smelling of damp”.  

Last month, a full costing exercise for the Milngavie Primary School refurbishment project was reported to the council.  

Due to inflation and an increase in global construction industry costs the updated cost for the project “greatly exceeded the initial estimate” making it unaffordable for the council to progress to the construction phase at this time.  

READ NEXT: Air quality report shows promising start for LEZ

(Image: Supplied) Cllr Alix Mathieson, Scottish Conservative Party, says she is calling on the council administration to prioritise work on the school as soon as possible.  

She said: “While it is welcome news that costings will be sought for a new roof, I believe that this does not go far enough, the school is in desperate need of works including but not limited to, new windows, doors, guttering and plastering throughout to ensure it is wind and watertight and that the current ongoing issues are dealt with in their entirety.  

“The administration must set a timeline for these repairs and commit to carrying them out. 

“Our pupils and staff deserve to learn in a safe and dry learning and working environment.”

Ann Davie, chief executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, said: “The majority of remedial works carried out so far during 2024/2025 were planned and undertaken irrespective of the proposed refurbishment.  

“This included roofing works to ensure the building remains wind and watertight and other internal works. 

“The rise in costs compared to other years is due to inflation and as a result of us completing work to address essential pupil requirements that can support pupils now and in the future with specific additional needs.”