Calls to hold talks over Roman Catholic secondary school in Aberdeen denied for second time

Calls for Aberdeen City Council to hold talks on a new Roman Catholic secondary school have been denied for a second time, despite pleas from local religious leaders.

It comes after a row over the exact same matter kicked off this time last year, resulting in education boss Martin Greig being branded “anti-Catholic”.

At a recent education meeting, Labour members called for council chiefs to carry out engagement on potentially building a Catholic secondary school in the city.

After a vote the appeal was backed by nine to eight, however convener councillor Mr Greig requested that the matter be moved to full council.

He argued doing this would allow other councillors to take part in the discussion and ensure there is a “strong” school estate plan ahead of the budget process.

After getting the support to refer the item, Conservative councillor Richard Brooks was heard saying the move was “shocking”.

During the debate, Roman Catholic religious representative John Murray said the case for a Catholic secondary school in Aberdeen was “irrefutable”.

He added: “This time last year, Aberdeen City Council decided to deny that facility to all of the families of the city.

“This was in spite of the fact that 81% of people who responded to the council’s question on a Catholic secondary school said they were in favour.”

Mr Murray went on to say that a Catholic secondary school would be a “great asset” to the city.

“Aberdeen has more school-age Catholics than Dundee, but while we have three Catholic primaries and no secondary, Dundee has ten Catholic primaries and two Catholic secondary schools,” he explained.

“This is an absolutely dreadful state of affairs.”

“We have the opportunity to put all that behind us, to start again and to work together in a spirit of mutual respect and co-operation for all the families of Aberdeen.”

But despite his request, meeting convener councillor Martin Greig called for the estate plan to pass with no action to be taken on a new secondary school.

He believed the proposal was “integrated and interconnected” as it was.

Mr Greig said: “We are not an outlier or much different in delivering Roman Catholic education, Aberdeenshire has no Catholic schools at all.

“I am proud that we have three primary schools, and we are doing what we can to upgrade them.

“St Peter’s was at the top of our list for improvement, so we have a strong record in supporting Catholic education.”

Speaking after the meeting, Labour councillor Kate Blake voiced her disappointment at the vote being overruled.

She said: “The whole purpose of having external members on the education committee is that they bring their own expertise and they’re independent of party politics.

“By continuing to ignore their views on the need for a consultation on a Catholic secondary, then he undermines the valuable role they play on the committee.

“He also prevents the people of Aberdeen being consulted and reinforces the view that the Administration are not listening.”

Meanwhile, Mr Brooks said he was “absolutely astonished” that the matter will now move to full council.

“Councillor Greig has once again not listened to the public or the advisors and despite being outvoted in the committee meeting, refuses to accept that an investigation should be made into a future Catholic school.

“He thus referred it to full council so that democracy will not prevail because the educational advisors will not be counted.

“As a Church of Scotland Elder and Reader, Mr Greig once again calls into question his role.”

He added: “It’s an emotive subject, but for me this isn’t about sectarian bias or political bias, this is about fairness and democracy.”