April 5, 2018In a report published earlier this week, the Accounts Commission said 19 public buildings in Edinburgh were found to have similar faults after the collapse of an external wall at Oxgangs Primary School during a storm in January 2016.
No one was injured in the Oxgangs incident, but 17 schools in Edinburgh were forced to close temporarily in the aftermath of the storm amid concerns over building standards.
The report highlighted “serious faults” in procurement, design and construction, which led to the closure of the schools after the storm.
The 19 other buildings, all owned by Edinburgh City Council, included libraries, community centres and care homes.
It calls on all councils to undertake regular, comprehensive structural risk assessments and inspections on public buildings.
And where a council employs a company to provide construction services, it must put in place appropriate checks and controls.
“The City of Edinburgh Council responded quickly and comprehensively to the wall collapse at Oxgangs Primary School,” said commission chair, Graham Sharp.
“However, all councils in Scotland must ensure public buildings in their care are regularly checked and appropriately maintained.
“While reduced resources mean councils must make difficult decisions about service provision, they should have an appropriate level of expertise to deliver and safely maintain buildings.
“People must have confidence in the safety and integrity of public buildings,” added Mr Sharp.
To read the full Accounts Commission report, see here http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/uploads/docs/report/2018/sr_180403_edinburgh.pdf
