Council Gives RAAC Update
Wednesday 6 September
Dumfries and Galloway Council has updated its dedicated reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) webpage.
It had previously (Friday 1 September) announced that three of the region's schools were affected by RAAC with the council awaiting structural-engineer inspection reports on two further schools.
An update from the structural engineers received yesterday (Tuesday 5 September) found that Kirkcudbright Academy does not have RAAC, but Gatehouse Primary School in Gatehouse of Fleet does. Parents, carers and staff have been informed.
Four schools have now been identified as having RAAC panels in Dumfries and Galloway:
- Laurieknowe Primary School, Dumfries
- Carrutherstown Primary School, Nithsdale
- Dumfries Academy, Dumfries
- Gatehouse Primary School, Gatehouse of Fleet
In addition - as the result of a weekly inspection regime brought in by the council at the school - it has closed two offices at Laurieknowe Primary School until remedial work is undertaken. No classrooms are affected. Parents, carers and staff have been informed.
Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader Cllr Gail MacGregor said: "The safety of the children and education colleagues who use these properties is our paramount concern and we will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to ensure this.
"We have been updating parents, carers and staff and other key groups regularly over the last few days on what is a developing situation, and will continue to do so. I would urge everyone to check our dedicated webpage for latest updates: https:dumgal.gov.uk/raac-schools
"In terms of assurance, on the advice of our structural engineers, an enhanced inspection regime has been adopted for all four affected schools. In addition, our buildings have recently been subject to condition surveys and ongoing regular checks are made as part of the Lead Occupier inspections by the Council's clerk of works team. These will continue.
"Survey work is also being undertaken across the rest of our council estate to investigate and identify any further buildings that may have these panels fitted - to which the same structural engineering inspection and reporting regime will be applied.
"We will continue to be guided by the advice of our expert structural engineers."
Depute Leader Malcolm Johnstone said: "If you are looking for more specific information about the four affected schools or what measures the council has and is taking on RAAC panels, there is plenty more detail on our website.
"In the meantime, we would like to reassure all parents, carers and our education staff that we are working hard with our structural engineers to address this top-priority issue."
