A FRESH row has erupted over the finances required for a new Peebles High School.

Local Conservative council leader Shona Haslam and the local authority's education portfolio holder Carol Hamilton hit out earlier this month at what they claimed was a financial snub from the Scottish Government.

Their claims infuriated Deputy First Minister John Swinney, who reiterated Holyrood's commitment to help following the school fire in November.

But last week's budget announcement by the Conservative/Independent administration has now sparked a fresh row.

According to the figures presented a new Peebles High will cost around £30 million - with only £10 million coming from an insurance settlement.

The claim that there will be a £20 million deficit has led to MSP Christine Grahame seeking clarification.

The council's chief finance officer David Robertson has confirmed that Peebles High has an insurance value of £32 million.

And that the local authority is working with loss adjuster appointed by Zurich on a final settlement - expected to be made next month.

But the correspondence has now thrown up more questions, with Ms Grahame demanding to know where a £20 million deficit will occur.

She told us: "The claims being made by Councillor Haslam and her Tory colleagues are going to be massively concerning for the school community.

"As soon as the scale of the damage from the fire was apparent I wrote to SBC to check that insurance would cover the cost of rebuilding – I was told yes, it should.

“Cllr Haslam has already been caught in one lie by saying the Scottish Government has refused funding for the rebuild when SBC have never requested it. And why would it if it was covered by insurance?

“Is it the case that the insurance company has rejected a claim for new build and will pay only for reinstatement of the damaged areas? If that is the case then she should come clean. She is claiming the school faces a £20 million deficit.

"The only explanation I can offer is that this is the cost of replacement of damaged areas but on this Ms Haslam is silent.

“I await her response, but in the interim I would ask her seriously to desist in trying to play politics with this to get a disingenuous hit on the Scottish Government and SNP.

"It serves no one and is unnecessarily causing genuine concern amongst the local community when efforts should be going into returning stability and normality to students, parents and staff.”

Scottish Borders Council's administration has committed to delivering replacement secondary schools in Galashiels, Hawick and Peebles in the next six years.

Councillor Haslam believes that an improved replacement school for Peebles school along with using parts of the remaining building needs to be factored in to the calculations.

In a response to Christine Grahame, she said: "As you are well aware the insurance will only pay to replace what was lost.

"This will still result in a music department in a windowless basement and a science department in labs that are not fit for purpose.

"Despite this our school continues to produce first class scientists and musicians but I believe they deserve more and better.

"We had planned to replace Peebles High School in the next 10 years. To only do part of the school now would be a false economy and impact on future plans to replace outdated buildings.

"I know how keen you are to see a new High School delivered in Galashiels so am perplexed as to why you are so against Peebles getting the same facilities? Perhaps you could clarify? I am certainly not satisfied with half measures for our young people.

"We are also extremely keen to ensure that other towns developments are not held back as a result of this fire. So Galashiels and Hawick remain on schedule to be delivered. This means that our Conservative led council will be delivering three new High schools, two new primary schools in the next six years, quite an achievement as I am sure you will agree.

"This is held against the backdrop of a cut to our capital budget this year of 25 percent."