Mothballing of schools and nurseries review information: FOI release

Information requested

Mr Swinney said 'reviewing', present tense, which means that the work must have already started by this date.

Please confirming the following:

• On what date was the review of mothballing guidance confirmed? (eg on which date was it decided to go ahead with the review, not on which date was the review first mentioned in parliament)
• On what date did work on the review of mothballing guidance commence?
• How many staff are currently allocated to the review of mothballing guidance?
• Have any meetings been held as part of the review of mothballing guidance?
• If so, please provide a list of dates, attendees, meeting types (in person or online), and minutes for each meeting (if no minutes exist for any meetings please state this clearly and explicitly)
• Have any other organisations been contacted as part of the review of mothballing guidance?
• If so, please provide the name of each organisation, the date on which it was contacted, and the method of communication used.
• Does the government have any information on when it plans or hopes to complete the review? This could either be a specific date, a month, or a broader period (for example, if the work is to be completed before the end of the current parliament, then this would fall into the latter category). If so, please provide this.

Response

On what date was the review of mothballing guidance confirmed? (eg on which date was it decided to go ahead with the review, not on which date was the review first mentioned in parliament)

Ms Gilruth requested that officials begin consideration of a review of the guidance on the mothballing of schools in July 2024. This followed concerns about the mothballing of Tullynessle Primary School and Nursery and this was referenced in a letter from the Cabinet Secretary to Alexander Burnet MSP, dated 10 September 2024.

On what date did work on the review of mothballing guidance commence?

Work on the review of the guidance has been taking place since July 2024.

How many staff are currently allocated to the review of mothballing guidance?

There nine staff currently involved in the review of the guidance on mothballing as part of their day to day roles.

Have any meetings been held as part of the review of mothballing guidance?

Yes

If so, please provide a list of dates, attendees, meeting types (in person or online), and minutes for each meeting (if no minutes exist for any meetings please state this clearly and explicitly)

Date	Attendees	Meeting Type	Minutes of meeting
30-Jul- 24	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Section 38(1) (b)	Online	Meeting note taken – See Annex C - Doc ID MA01
25-Oct- 24	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials
03-Dec-24	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials
14-Jan-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials
21-Jan-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials
21-Jan-25	COSLA Section 38(1) (b)	Online	Meeting Note taken – See Annex C - Doc ID MA02
22-Jan- 25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials
31-Jan- 25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials
02-Feb-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials
24 Feb-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute meeting between HM Inspector School Consultationleads
05-Mar-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials
7 Mar-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute meeting between HM Inspector School Consultationleads
19 Mar-25	Section 38(1) (b)	In person	No minute meeting between Senior Inspector and InterimChief Inspector
19-Mar-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials
03-Apr-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute Business asusual meeting between officials
24-Apr-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials
23-Apr-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual meeting between officials and advisor.
24-Apr-25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual discussion
02-Jun-25	Orlando Mason Section 38(1) (b)	Online	Meeting note taken – See Annex C - Doc ID MA03
10-Jun-25	Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise. Section 38(1) (b)	Online	Minute withheld (Section 30(b)(i)
11-Jun- 25	Section 38(1) (b)	Online	No minute business as usual discussion

Have any other organisations been contacted as part of the review of mothballing guidance?

Yes

If so, please provide the name of each organisation, the date on which it was contacted, and the method of communication used.

• COSLA – 21 January 2025 - online meeting
• Aberdeenshire Council - April, May and June – email

Does the government have any information on when it plans or hopes to complete the review? This could either be a specific date, a month, or a broader period (for example, if the work is to be completed before the end of the current parliament, then this would fall into the latter category). If so, please provide this.

SG officials will be engaging with stakeholders over the summer and following our engagement with local government and other relevant stakeholders, we will put forward to Ministers proposals for amendments to the guidance with a view that this can be available as soon as is possible in the autumn term.

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FOI 202500471247 - Information released - Annex

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