St Kentigern’s Academy: Council Pleads for Funds

0:00It's March 31st. Welcome to Edinburgh News Today, powered by AI. West Lothian Council just got turned down for 15 million pounds from the Scottish government to finish rebuilding St. Kennegurne's Academy. The school had major issues with crumbling RAC concrete, so they tore down 60 percent of the building. It's set to reopen later this year, but the council already showed out 20 million pounds of their own cash and needs this final chunk to avoid. Barrowing Earlier this month, council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick wrote straight to First Minister John Swinney, calling out a broken promise from education. Secretary Ginny Gilruth, she visited the site last winter and pledged the funds during the massive reconstruction. Fitzpatrick stressed it's an exceptional case with cross-party backing, including the local SNP MSPs. Now the stakes are high, without the money, the council faces a 20-year loan repayment that balloons to 30 million pounds total. Fitzpatrick pointed out how the First Minister quickly found 20 million for an Edinburgh

1:02concert hall and 10 million for a Glasgow rail station. Fitz, questioning why this school in a deprived area gets the cold shoulder. Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee responded that they can't offer extra through the learning and state investment program right now, but they're open. To collaborating with councils and the Scottish Futures Trust, he said it's under review as part of broader school estate support. Fitzpatrick fired back this week, insisting a pledge is a pledge and not some bidding process. With Easter around the corner, he's pleading for the First Minister to step up for the St. Kenegrin's community, while the government reminds them of. Nearly 500 million pounds coming in 2026, 27 for local services, plus past projects like other schools.