Scalloway school’s future

SCALLOWAY’S primary pupils should be allowed to move into the vacant former secondary school to make best use of improved facilities, according to local councillor David Sandison.

On Wednesday Shetland Islands Council heard that it would take until June for a feasibility study on the future of the school’s now closed secondary department to be completed.

It also emerged that neither the community councils affected nor the school board have had the opportunity to feed in their views to the study.

Mr Sandison said the community felt “from day one” that the primary pupils should benefit from the vacant modern building.

But councillor Allison Duncan called on the council to bite the bullet and create a “super-primary” in Scalloway by closing neighbouring village schools in Hamnavoe, Tingwall, and also Nesting.

He said such a move could save the local authority a further £620,000 a year.

Mr Sandison said that after closing the secondary school against the wishes of the local people it was “incumbent” on the council to make sure that the community had the first say on any proposals.

• Other options being considered are:

• a relocated Scalloway health centre;

• offices, a hostel or domestic use;

• a community work office;

• an SIC remote working hub;

• business starter units;

• private businesses including an independent child care provider, or possibly voluntary organisations.