A new report has slammed safety issues across a number of public buildings in Dumfries and Galloway (D&G).

The document, which will be presented to Councillors next week, blasts private sector construction contractors which failed to prioritise public safety when delivering public buildings.

Members will be informed in relation to safety investigations being carried out at Council buildings, how the council has responded and providing assurances on the safety of buildings. In addition, the report also provides details on construction flaws at DG One, issues relating to public safety and future options.

The £17 million DG One facility was closed in October 2014 after serious construction defects were discovered at the building. The project was opened in 2008 and delivered by Kier Northern.

The council said: "Following the tragic events at Liberton High School in Edinburgh in 2014, incidents with Edinburgh School external walls collapsing in 2016 and the recent tragic fire in London, ensuring public safety has been prioritised across the country.


"This calls into question the safety of all public buildings constructed during a set period of time and requires them to be reviewed. The report will outline the actions that the council is undertaking to ensure the safety of our buildings and the safety of the public who would use our facilities."

Council Leader Elaine Murray said the local authority needs to be "open and transparent about the state of our buildings".

"Like everyone else will be, I am shocked at the details relating to the condition of DG One," she said.

"It is beyond comprehension that a private sector contractor would willingly hand over a building to the council that was so fundamentally flawed. Public safety was not prioritised and instead, we have been subject to corners being cut so that profits could be maximised by private sector contractors."

Depute Leader, Rob Davidson, said: "I am appalled that such serious building safety practices seem to have been ignored. The extent and nature of the problems at DG One, which are similar to those that we have seen across the country, is staggering. We could not have anticipated that fundamental safety procedures had not been followed in the original construction and the level of defects and required works are unprecedented.

"I consider any instances of non-compliance with building regulations completely unacceptable, in particular those in high risk area such as structural safety and fire protection. It is vital that everything is being done to deliver safe outcomes for the people who use or occupy our buildings."

(LM)