Over the past 15 years the Council has invested £1 billion in local communities through the Capital Programme. This annually updated programme, includes a wide range of projects including school refurbishment projects and new build facilities.

In recent weeks the keys have been handed over at St Sophia’s Primary, the UK’s first EnerPHit certified school. The EnerPHit Standard is a certification developed by the Passive House Institute for retrofitting existing buildings to make them highly energy-efficient. The final fit-out is now taking place and the children and young people are very excited to be returning to the school in August. 

Councillor Elaine Cowan, spokesperson for Education, and Children and Young People and Councillor Graham Barton, spokesperson for Planning, Property and Environment met with Andrew Kennedy and Simon Bell from Facilities and Property Management to discuss current school improvement projects and view work underway. 

The first stop was Onthank Primary Additional Support for Learning Centre (ASL) where work was underway in the sensory garden. The garden, which has been doubled in size, has been designed in consultation with staff, parents and carers, and the children and young people who attend the ASL. The garden has already been completely transformed by new fencing, extensive drainage works and new play equipment is now being installed, including a climbing frame, roundabout and trampoline that will take three weeks to complete. 

As part of the programme of second phase works, there are also three individual toilets being installed within the ASL and this work will be completed early August. 

The next stop was Willowbank School where parents and carers have raised £20,000 towards a £53,000 project to transform the school’s sensory garden.

Councillor Barton and Councillor Cowan viewed the plans, which were developed in consultation with the parents and carers, staff and children and young people, which include the installation of new play equipment, including a pirate ship, sensory boards and a trail through the garden.

The work will start on site on Monday 28 July and will take three weeks to complete. 

They also viewed the external store in the grounds of the school that Facilities and Property Management are planning to demolish and replace with two modular classrooms. This work is in the early planning stages, however it is hoped that a contractor will be appointed later in the summer for the work to then be completed by the end of the year. 

Councillor Barton said: “Cllr Elaine Cowan and I were keen to visit sites over the summer to view work underway and view plans for the projects that are due to start imminently. The improvement works at Onthank ASL are going to make a huge difference to our children and young people and the excitement levels when they see their outdoor space is going to be something special. 

“The plans for Willowbank sensory garden are also really exciting, we can’t wait to come back and visit the garden when it is completed and see the children and young people enjoying their outdoor space. It was also good to get reassurance on the plans for the modular classrooms and to hear that work is on schedule at Crosshouse Community Centre creating three classrooms for our children and young people to attend from August. 

“The Capital Programme is extensive and has a significant impact on our communities. Roof works are underway at Drongan, Dunlop and Logan Primary Schools, plans for the new dining and kitchen facilities, which are EnerPhit informed, have been signed off for Kilmaurs Primary and tenders are being assessed with works expected to commence in September; at Stewarton Academy tenders are being prepared and it is anticipated that work will start on the extension late 2025 / early 2026. 

“This is just a snapshot of the extensive work that is being carried out in our schools with a focus this year on areas for children and young people with additional support needs. The Capital Programme is reviewed annually and projects are carefully managed, ensuring that public resources are focused on the Council’s priorities and spent efficiently.”