A school without price 11/2/11
It is still unknown if Daliburgh will ever get a new school as contractor FMP has failed to give an acceptable estimate for the proposal.
Despite throwing out a high bid price from the Irish contractors the Comhairle refuses to allow island firms to bid for the work.
Hebrides News has learnt that the council still has no idea what the build costs could be. It previously stated that it was around £5.5 million but, though it insists the end cost will be much higher, it declines to give any updated figure.
In reality, the market value of the job may never be known as the Comhairle is currently sticking with FMP for the tender.
Though inviting the local building industry to bid for the contract would establish its worth and attract the lowest price, the council is in exclusive negotiations with the Belfast joint venture company with a view to the Irish consortium being granted the work automatically.
A number of councillors are annoyed at the impasse which sees the council invoking an optional clause in the wider Western Isles Schools Project (WISP) contract to chose FMP.
If it does go-
Pupils would be taught in the remaining rooms with portacabins used as temporary classes with the building works hoped to be completed in 2012.
FMP originally won the major £65 million contract to build five schools. Daliburgh was later added.
The council is receiving a £2.1 million grant from the Scottish Government which would be topped up by its own cash.