Peterhead Councillors Welcome 'Milestone' Report on New Campus

Following a report to the Buchan Area Committee, Peterhead councillors have welcomed a report on the new Community Campus which sets out the preferred site as a “milestone” for the town.

Councillors discussed the report in a formal session at Buchan House before it goes to a meeting of the Full Council on Thursday for approval. It details the next steps in the process and asks councillors to agree the preferred site for the new Community Campus shall be the Kinmundy site.

Commenting, Cllr Stephen Smith (SNP-Peterhead South & Cruden) said:

“This is a milestone for Peterhead in terms of moving forward to a new secondary school and community campus for the town.

“The preferred site has now been formally identified and the next steps set out in terms of engagement with the community and the further reports required on the business case and town centre impact assessment. We now need to keep up the pace on progress with this important project.”

Cllr Stephen Calder (Independent-Peterhead South & Cruden) said:

“I'm very pleased to see such huge, united support for a new Community Campus in Peterhead. This will bring major changes and improvements to the educational, community, cultural, arts and sports facilities in the town. It is an exciting development which will be welcomed by the area and the whole community who will benefit from it."

Cllr Anne Allan (SNP-Peterhead North & Rattray) added:

“Having lobbied hard in previous council terms for a new academy for Peterhead, selecting the preferred site is a major step forward. The vast majority of Peterhead councillors have welcomed this as a positive development for the town and will continue to work together to deliver it for the community.”

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Peterhead 'Well-Placed' to Benefit from Scottish Government Schools Funding

A Peterhead councillor has said that plans for the new Peterhead Community Campus are well-placed to benefit from the Scottish Government’s announcement of funding for new schools.

Education Secretary John Swinney announced last Wednesday a £1 billion scheme to continue investment in the school estate from 2021, when the current scheme reaches an end. The issue was raised at Thursday’s meeting of the Full Council by local councillor Stephen Smith during a discussion on the council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

Commenting, SNP councillor for Peterhead South & Cruden Stephen Smith said:

“Thanks to the leadership shown by the previous SNP/Labour Administration in Aberdeenshire, plans for the new Peterhead Community Campus should be at the front of the queue when it comes to taking advantage of the £1 billion of funding for school buildings announced by Education Secretary John Swinney last week.

“I remain proud of the fact that it was the SNP/Labour Administration which made a new academy for Peterhead a priority immediately upon taking over control of the council in 2015.

“I readily acknowledge the work done by the new council administration since they took over in sticking with our priority and moving it forward. I’m delighted we have six of the Peterhead councillors all working together across party lines to make this project happen and, with this funding announcement, we’re well-placed to deliver a new community campus for Peterhead by 2025.”

Independent councillor for Peterhead South & Cruden Stephen Calder added:

“Peterhead cannot afford to miss this opportunity to get funding towards its new Academy. It would support the learning of our young people and mark a huge step forward in the regeneration of the town. I urge the Council Administration to do all they can to ensure we can benefit from this money from the Scottish Government.”

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