EAST Dunbartonshire Council has claimed that gas safety certificates in schools across the region are in place and up to date - but the local authority won't let us see them. 

The body has said that in line with statutory requirements, all 42 schools have received their annual inspection.

Council chiefs want parents and teachers to be reassured that the mandatory certificates are held on-site by staff and contractors, but they are "not typically made available to the public". 

Glasgow Times: Andrew PolsonAndrew Polson

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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.

Joint council Leader, Andrew Polson, said: "East Dunbartonshire is home to some of the best schools in the country and the health and safety of our pupils and staff is paramount.

"We take enormous pride in providing a safe and nurturing environment for our young people and our workforce.

"We have previously stated that all gas certificates across our school estate are in place and up-to-date with boilers having been fully inspected by qualified engineers.

"Regrettably, misinformation on this issue persists with unfounded allegations that certificates are not in place, leading to unnecessary distress.

Joint council leader, Vaughan Moody, added: "Should any member of school based staff be concerned they should approach the head teacher who would be able to provide reassurance and where necessary, the employee can view the appropriate documentation held on site in the Property 6 pack.

"We hope that parents and staff can be re-assured by this, particularly following such a challenging year when there have been so many genuine sources of worry for parents and carers due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We always welcome and encourage those with any concerns with any aspect of our estate to raise it with it via the appropriate channels."

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Mum demands answers after Balmuildy Primary School evacuated amid gas alert

It comes after a group of whistleblowers in the council’s education department exclusively raised concerns with us over the whereabouts of the certificates.

They claimed that children and teachers are being put at “grave risk” due to annual gas safety inspections allegedly not being conducted in school buildings.

One whistleblower said: “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 across three schools began to vomit and fall ill before being evacuated from school grounds.

READ MORE: Whistleblowers claim children at risk due to lack of gas safety checks in East Dunbartonshire schools

It soon became apparent a carbon monoxide leak had taken place at Balmuildy Primary School while the same fumes were detected by alarms at Wester Cleddens Primary School and Craigdhu Primary School.

Now, a programme of boiler replacements will take place across all school buildings in East Dunbartonshire to replace those that are nearing the end of their economic life.

Carbon Monoxide decetors are also installed throughout all school buildings while a project to install an automatic shut-off system to boilers in the event of a gas leak is ongoing.