Response from Education Convener

Councillor Mrs Marilyne MacLaren
Convener of Education, Children and Families

Portobello Announcement 11 November 2008

The Scottish Government have given First Minister's Consent for Portobello High School. This is just the completion of the statutory consultation process that began in 2006, where any proposal to move a school which is more than 80% occupied requires Consent before it can go ahead.

This is only the first stage of the process. A report on Wave 3 schools will go to the Council meeting in December and this will set out the phasing of all five schools based on the criteria that were discussed with the Sounding Board and approved at the October Council meeting. At this stage no decision has been made on the phasing of the schools and which one will go first. It also has to be pointed out that any proposals to build a new school on Portobello Park would also have to follow the normal planning procedures before work could begin.

Yours sincerely

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren
Convener - Education, Children & Families