Does a plan exist for the future?

Cowdenbeath Area Committee heard this in response to a public question from Tom Kinnaird, a member of both the Benarty Community Council and Community Forum.

Mr Kinnaird asked: “The school estate in Benarty is in desperate need of replacement.

“At some point a plan of action will need to be formed to provide new facilities. Does a plan exist for the future replacement of the school estate in Benarty, if not what does the committee propose.”

Mr Kinnaird was referring to Benarty and St Kenneth’s Primaries, and Dunmore Nursery.

Local Government Officer, Shelagh McLean, said that at present there were no plans to replace any of the facilities.

She added: “We have an ongoing maintenance programme run by the Property Services team who are in constant touch with the headteachers and when there are any problems these will be tackled.

“There are a number of projects in the pipeline for the schools, such as lighting being upgraded in 2020-21, at Benarty PS, and an extension is being constructed at Dunmore. St Kenneth’s is in the same bracket.”

Mr Kinnaird responded: “My concerns are that these buildings are pretty old and eventually upgrading will not be enough.

“There are also problems with security at Benarty, meanwhile there is the emotional impact for the children and staff of working in a very old building.”

Committee chair, Councillor Linda Erskine, said that the area did have a number of old school buildings: “I think of Lochgelly, all three of the schools there are upwards of a century plus old but the buildings are kept in good condition and the quality of teaching inside in all our schools is first class.

“We have excellent headteachers and teachers and we are fortunate to have that in our area.”

Local councillor Mary Lockhart said: “The leadership in our schools is very good but I hate to say it Benarty Primary has suffered a lot of vandalism in recent times which is very disappointing.”