DRAFT Petition for the Renovation of Our Lady of Peace School
Renfrewshire Council · 24 March 2025
Back to Petitions Board — 24 March 2025 and its agenda
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To: Petitions Board On: 24 March 2025 Report by: Director of Finance and Resources Heading: Petition for the Renovation of Our Lady of Peace School 1. Summary 1.1 The Council has agreed procedures in relation to the submission of petitions including parameters for determining valid petitions and those areas where petitions would not be valid. 1.2 All petitions are to be submitted to the Board for consideration. Where the Head of Corporate Governance does not consider a petition to be valid in terms of the Council’s Petitions Procedure a summary will be provided to the Board outlined the reasons why. However, it is for the Board to determine the validity of such petitions. 1.3 A petition containing 749 signatures has been received from Ms D Asenova in the following terms: - “Petition for Renovation of Our Lady of Peace School Dear Parents, Guardians, and Members of the Community, I am reaching out to seek your support in advocating for renovations at Our Lady of Peace School. While some efforts, such as repainting, and rewiring after repainting have been made recently, significant issues remain unaddressed. These directly affect the safety, comfort, and overall quality of the learning environment for our children. Urgent Issues Needing Attention Carpets: The carpets are heavily worn, stained, and unhygienic. They are well past their intended lifespan and emit unpleasant odors. We are requesting that all carpets be replaced with linoleum flooring, which is durable, easy to maintain, and better suited for a modern educational setting. The Linoleum of the corridors also needs to be replaced, along with the coat racks and the hooks should be adjusted to ensure the children have enough space and easy access to their belongings without
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causing clutter. With a proper assessment, this issue can be effectively resolved. Sink Units: The units under the sinks and the double basin sinks and the units for extra storage in classrooms are in critical condition. They are unsafe and no longer fit for purpose. We urgently call for their replacement to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. Football Pitch: The current pitch is in poor condition, making it unsuitable for use in various weather conditions. This limits the children’s ability to engage in outdoor sports, an essential part of their physical development. We propose the pitch be upgraded to meet modern standards, ensuring it is usable year-round. Gym/Lunch Hall Curtains: The large blue curtains separating the indoor gym hall from the lunch area are clearly worn out and require replacement. Upon closer inspection, it is evident that they are not securely attached to the curtain rods, posing a potential safety risk. Legal Framework Supporting this Petition Scottish law sets clear standards that local councils must meet to ensure children are provided with safe, high-quality educational environments. The following legislation is particularly relevant: Education (Scotland) Act 1980: Councils are required to provide and maintain adequate school facilities for both physical and academic development. Example: The condition of the football pitch and gym hall curtains falls short of these requirements. Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006: This act promotes active parental involvement in decisions related to school facilities and ensures a supportive learning environment. Example: Parents and the wider community have concerns about unsafe and outdated infrastructure, yet these remain unresolved. Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000: Every child is entitled to an education in an environment that supports their well-being and academic growth. Example: Worn-out carpets, unsafe sink units, and damaged gym curtains compromise the quality of the environment, directly impacting children’s daily experiences. Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004: Facilities must meet the diverse needs of all pupils, including those requiring safe, accessible spaces. Example: Poor flooring and inadequate fixtures create unnecessary barriers to learning for children with additional support needs.
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Our Demands We are calling on the council to: • Replace all carpets with linoleum flooring. • Replace the sink units in all classrooms with safe, modern alternatives. • Renovate the football pitch to meet modern standards and enable year-round use. • Replace the blue curtains in the gym/lunch hall with secure and durable new ones. Call to Action The council is legally obligated under the above legislation to provide and maintain facilities that ensure the safety and well-being of our children. We strongly urge the council to: • Fully assist in addressing these critical issues. • Take full responsibility and action to make these renovations a reality. • Provide expected start dates for the work and a timeline for completion to ensure transparency and accountability. • Your support is essential to make this happen. Join Us By signing this petition, you help amplify our voices and demonstrate to the council that the entire community stands united in demanding these much-needed improvements. Together, we can create a better, safer, and more inspiring environment for our children to learn, grow, and thrive. Please sign the petition and share it widely within your network. Every signature brings us closer to making this vision a reality. Thank you for your time, your support, and your commitment to improving Our Lady of Peace School for the benefit of all.” 1.4 The Head of Corporate Governance has reviewed this petition and has considers it valid in terms of the procedures. 1.5 The Council’s Education Manager (Resources) has provided a response to the concerns raised in the petition and where appropriate suggested actions to resolve them as outlined below: -
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Renfrewshire Council has an agreed Learning Estate Strategy that continues to develop and seeks to address all schools in Renfrewshire. This offers an objective approach to prioritising how future investment will be made for major intervention in our schools. It is recognised however, that this overarching strategy is a long-term initiative and investment in our schools must continue. Our Lady of Peace Primary School has received significant funding in recent years, in excess of £800,000. This investment has allowed a full building rewire, plastering and decoration, new lighting, and new ceiling tiles. With the financial pressure that the Council is under, it is not possible to invest to the level that school communities would like, and the Council must manage this to ensure that schools building is safe, and suitable for delivering the curriculum. Renfrewshire Council does however, continue to invest in light of financial pressure, and in recognition of the important matters raised in the petition, further work will now be progressed. Council officers have visited the school to assess the specific points raised as part of this petition, and a further budget in excess of £100,000 has been applied to address these points. Whilst work remains ongoing to determine exactly what will be possible to achieve with this budget, it will specifically consider: • Carpets • Sink units • Sports pitch The school receives a devolved budget each year which can be used for matters such as curtain improvement, of which the school will consider moving forward to allow the additional budget to be prioritised for the matters raised above. The school have assessed the curtains and do not deem these to be a safety risk. This further intervention will enhance the recent improvement works at Our Lady of Peace Primary School and will take a positive step forward in enhancing the environment for learning and teaching. 1.6 The role of the Board is to consider the petition and take the appropriate action in respect of the petition which will be one of the following: (a) that no action is taken, in which case the reasons will be specified and intimated to the petitioner; (b) that the petition be referred to the relevant director/and or policy board for further investigation, with or without any specific recommendation; or (c) refer the petition to another organisation if the petition relates to that organisation. 1.7 The principal petitioner, together with one supporter has been invited to attend the meeting.
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2 Recommendation 2.1 That the Board considers the petition. 3. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – none 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning - none 4. Legal – none 5. Property/Assets – none 6. Information Technology - none. 7. Equality & Human Rights - none The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety - none 9. Procurement - none 10. Risk - none. 11. Privacy Impact - none 12. Cosla Policy Position – not applicable. 13. Climate Risk – not applicable List of Background Papers (a) Background Paper - Petition Author: Euan Gray, Senior Committee Services Officer
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Tel: 0141 487 1099 Email: euan.gray@renfrewshire.gov.uk