Much to the Gartly Community’s immense disappointment, Aberdeenshire Council recently decided to mothball the Gartly School despite months of campaigning to keep this vital resource open.

I have been advised that this decision was made by officers in consultation with Education and Children’s Services and that some local councillors vehemently opposed this move. As this was not a councillor decision, and acknowledging that council officers are working within the parameters given to them, I will be asking the Committee to revisit the closure of the Gartly School and to agree on a roll for the building within a reasonable timescale in order to protect the school from falling into disrepair.

Closing rural schools when the Aberdeenshire’s rural population is increasing is retrograde, and the Council would save money if these schools were kept open, compared to expanding or building new schools in a few short years to keep up with demand.