POLITICIANS are due to vote on whether to allocate £1 million for “urgent” repairs and maintenance at Highlands College as part of next year’s Budget.
The Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel has put forward an amendment to the government’s spending plans for 2025.
If approved, the amendment would redirect £1.04 million originally intended for revitalising Broad Street to Highlands College.
This would be used to fund repairs and address safety and structural issues at the college a year earlier than originally planned.
A report accompanying the amendment reads: “The panel believes that there is an important principle to prioritise facilities for education over other improvements to the public realm.”
The repairs were meant to start in 2026, but the panel is calling for the funds to be urgently redirected to tackle a backlog of essential work identified by the group following a site visit.
Significant safety concerns remain about Highlands College, which offers various courses, apprenticeships, and lifelong learning programmes.
Recent inspections uncovered leaking roofs, extensive water damage, and areas closed because they were unsafe. According to the panel: “Buckets and bins were set out to catch water from leaks.”
A condition survey carried out last year by the government also identified fire safety risks, faulty boilers and pipework, the need for electrical and heating system upgrades and the need to replace a damaged ventilation system.
The Scrutiny panel concluded: “The Highlands College estate is in a poor state of repair and requires urgent investment to ensure it is maintained and that it remains safe and fit for purpose for delivery of education.”
The amendment will be debated on 26 November.
