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Message from Alan Russell, chief executive of Renfrewshire Council
To parents and carers at Dargavel and Bishopton primary schools
Dear parent or carer,
You will already be well aware of the impact of the historic errors made by Renfrewshire Council while calculating projected school rolls in the Dargavel Village development.
Last year I commissioned an independent review to establish the circumstances of how these errors were made and I am writing to make you aware that report was published today.
It confirms repeated and very significant errors were made in determining pupil roll projections over the years, and that opportunities were missed to identify the problem much earlier.
It also confirms local community concerns were dismissed and not investigated, and that this was compounded by a lack of oversight by senior leadership in the council at that time.
All of this was totally unacceptable. On behalf of the council, I am deeply sorry to the Dargavel and Bishopton communities for these significant errors, and for the impact they are now having on you.
I fully acknowledge these findings and accept all recommendations, on which we are already taking action. The report confirms all senior officers involved in the development are no longer with the council.
I am very aware of how let down and upset the community will be feeling, and of how upset those of you who had previously raised legitimate concerns will be. Those of us leading the project are very much aware it will take time—and our action—to rebuild trust.
I can assure you our priority is to deliver the best possible solution to the issues with school capacity for families in the Dargavel area, and work continues to deliver that.
The key part of that solution will be for us to build a new (additional) primary school in the Dargavel area as soon as possible. We remain in discussion with BAE Systems to secure the land for that to be built on. I have also written to BAE’s Chief Executive asking him to work with us to do the right thing for families in the Dargavel area and reach agreement to allow a solution to be progressed.
We are also progressing our plans for an extension to Park Mains High School to meet the expected longer-term increase in demand for secondary education.
You can read a copy of the full report on the external review on our website, as well as my response to the report, which will go before councillors next week.
I want to again apologise to you for these errors and to reiterate my commitment to working with you going forward and delivering the best possible solution and educational experience for you and your family.
Alan Russell
Chief Executive, Renfrewshire Council
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