CHILDREN and teachers in East Dunbartonshire are being put at “grave risk” due to annual gas safety inspections not being conducted in school buildings, a group of whistleblowers has claimed. 

The employees – who work in the local authority’s education department – are calling on three council chiefs to step down from their roles.

They claim that there could be around 30 to 40 buildings in the area that have had “no trace” of an inspection in the last three-and-a-half years. 

But council bosses have rejected their allegations, describing them as “unfounded” - insisting that all gas safety certificates are in place and updated every year. 

One whistleblower said: “I’m part of the education department at East Dunbartonshire council speaking on behalf of around eight employees who are gravely concerned about the safety of buildings across the council area, including schools.

Glasgow Times: Balmuildy Primary was affected by a gas leak last year Balmuildy Primary was affected by a gas leak last year

“There has been no trace of the annual inspection certificates from previous years and we can’t get access to them because they are nowhere to be seen. We have asked senior management to see them and we are getting nowhere.

“There are some schools and buildings that have not been serviced for three-and-a-half years and we are absolutely certain of that. 

“We are looking for the council to be honest and if they can’t do that then we are asking Ann Davies, Thomas Glen and Gerry Cornes to resign with immediate effect. We want the truth to come out.”

Local authorities in Scotland have a legal duty to ensure that any gas appliances in council-owned buildings, including boilers, receive a yearly safety check. A certificate is exchanged with the landlord and expires after 12 months.  

The whistleblower added: “We think that there could be 30 or 40 buildings that have not been serviced on an annual basis. East Dunbartonshire have a duty of care for their pupils and for their staff which has been breached, they are being put at grave risk.”

In February last year, we revealed how dozens of children attending Balmuildy Primary School in Bishopbriggs began to vomit and fall ill before they were evacuated due to a carbon monoxide leak.

READ MORE: Balmuildy Primary children sick AGAIN days after gas leak despite being declared 'safe'

Less than two weeks later, pupils and staff at Wester Cleddens Primary School were cleared from the premises after a new alarm picked up traces of the poisonous gas. 

And the following day, kids were led out of Craigdhu Primary School in Milngavie after the same fumes were detected from a boiler room only a few meters from the school building. 

“What if any of these kids had died? Several had fallen very, very ill”, the whisteblower said. 

“Schools were being evacuated left, right and centre and it is just being brushed under the carpet. There are children and teachers being put at risk here. 

“We are asking on behalf of the kids and teaching staff, what has been going on? They have a right to know about their safety. We are just asking for the truth to come out and for East Dunbartonshire Council to put their hands up and be honest. 

“The local representatives also have a part to play in this and they should be pushing and pushing for the answers.”

Local SNP MSP Rona Mackay said that although she has not received any concerns from her constituents, East Dunbartonshire Council has a duty to provide “clarity” to teachers and parents on the situation.

She said: “These are serious allegations and it’s incumbent on the local authority to provide clarity. Should any concerns be raised with me directly, as always, I would be happy to act on behalf of constituents.”

SNP MP Amy Callaghan added: “In early 2020, alongside MSP Rona Mackay, I acted on concerns regarding gas safety within East Dunbartonshire schools.

Glasgow Times: SNP MP Amy Callaghan SNP MP Amy Callaghan

“As always, should they contact me directly, I would be happy to represent any constituent concerned following these allegations.”

In March, the Glasgow Times submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to view the gas safety certificates for every primary and secondary school from 2016 to the most present date. 

The council was, however, unable to provide the information.

Thomas Glen, depute chief executive Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate
Assets at East Dunbartonshire Council, said: "These allegations and suggestions are unfounded.  

“The health, safety and welfare of our pupils and workforce is paramount. All gas safety
certificates are in place and are updated on an annual basis.  

“Actions resulting from those checks are attended to by qualified contractors. Gas safety certificates are held electronically by our estates service and a copy is retained on site in our Property 6 packs.  

“In addition, we have in place a system of annual audit checks to ensure all inspections and associated paperwork is in place and up to date. 

"All of our gas boilers across the school estate have been fully inspected by qualified engineers and a programme of replacement is ongoing to replace those that are nearing the end of their economic life.  

Glasgow Times: Rona MackayRona Mackay

“Carbon monoxide detectors are installed throughout our school estate and a project to
install automatic shut off systems to our boilers in the event of a CO or natural gas escape is ongoing.” 

He added: "As previously advised, all gas safety certificates are in place and are updated on an annual basis. Gas safety certificates are held electronically by our Estates service and a copy is retained on site in our Property 6 packs.

"The previous FOI was not on point as it sought historic information which is subject to ongoing investigations, and did not request copies of current gas safety certificates."