By Cara Sulieman
A PRIMARY school has been unable to display a hard-earned eco award outside their building because of health and safety fears.
Craigroyston Primary in Edinburgh won a Green Flag award for showing lasting commitment to environmental issues.
The skint school could not afford over £2,000 to install a flag pole and were forced to hang the flag on a wall.
But when a generous contractor offered free poles left from another job the city’s council put a stop to works until they carried out “checks” on the pole.
“Farce”
The policy has been branded “a complete farce” by a local councillor.
As Craigroyston was built as part of a Public Private Partnership, they need to get permission from the maintenance firm Amey if they want to make any improvements or alterations to the building.
And they have to use an Amey-approved contractor.
They were quoted £2,100 for the job, much more than their tiny budget will allow.
So when Laing O’Rourke said they had two poles left over after building Craigroyston Community High and they were willing to put them up for free, they were delighted.
But it didn’t last long before the council brought up the issue of health and safety.
“Some checks”
As the poles are second hand, Edinburgh City Council said that they need to be checked over before being put up.
Local councillor Cammy Day branded said the council’s hard line had let down families.
He said: “These parents and kids worked a long time to get this award and the council is letting down families in north Edinburgh.
“This is an example of more avoidable delays from the council and it’s a complete farce.”
A council spokeswoman said: “The council welcomes sponsorship to our schools. However, these flagpoles are not new and we will have to carry out some checks.”
