St Kentigern’s Academy: Council Pleads for Funds

It's March 31st.

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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

concert 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.