The Inverclyde Council

Thursday 20 January 2005 at 4.00 pm

Present:   Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Forbes, Fyfe, Gallacher, Hill, Hunter, McCabe, McCormick (M), McCormick (P), McKenzie, Mitchell, Moran, Nimmo, Roach, Robertson, Snoddy, Stewart, Tucker and White.

Chair:  Provost Rebecchi presided. 

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community Services, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Education Services, Mr H McNeilly (for Head of Legal Services), Head of Planning Services, Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services), Head of Transportation & Roads Service and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

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Venue of Meeting

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Prior to the commencement of business, Councillor Robertson seconded by Councillor McCabe moved that the meeting of the Council take place within Greenock Town Hall to allow further members of the public access to the debate.  As an amendment, Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Hill moved that the meeting take place as scheduled within the Council Chambers.

Councillors McKenzie, Moran, Roach, McCormick (P), Robertson, McCormick (M) and McCabe requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the vote be taken as a roll call vote and this was agreed.  On a vote, Councillors McKenzie, McCormick (M), Moran, Roach, McCormick (P), Robertson and McCabe voted in favour of the motion and Councillors Fyfe, Hill, Gallacher, Blair, Tucker, Mitchell, White, Snoddy, Forbes, Stewart, Nimmo and Hunter voted in favour of the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the meeting take place within the Council Chambers.

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Minute of Meeting of the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee (Special) - 19 January 2005

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Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Mitchell seconded by Councillor Tucker.  Councillor Mitchell seconded by Councillor Tucker moved with reference to the paragraph entitled “The Future Provision of Education in Inverclyde:  Results of the Consultation Process on Secondary Education” that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment, Councillor Robertson seconded by Councillor McKenzie moved:-

(a)      that officers submit detailed proposals for the construction of a new St Stephen’s High School either on the site of the existing campus or on another suitable site;

(b)      that Notre Dame High School be retained within its existing catchment area and comprehensively refurbished;

(c)      that St Columba’s High School remain open and a further review be undertaken within five years and that in the meantime provision be made within the Council’s Schools Estate Strategy for the comprehensive refurbishment and remodelling of the school;

(d)      that Port Glasgow High School be retained within its existing catchment area and comprehensively refurbished;

(e)      that officers submit proposals for the merger of (i) Wellington Academy with Greenock Academy and (ii) Greenock High School with Gourock High School, that the combined schools retain their existing primary associations and that there be a review of all catchment areas within Inverclyde;

(f)       that the Cross Party Working Group be reconstituted to examine the proposals and that in addition to Elected Member representation, there be representation by school boards, head teachers and teachers; and

(g)      that the Chief Executive continue to review the position regarding potential sites for secondary schools which may become available, taking action as appropriate and reporting thereon to the Committee.

Councillors McKenzie, Moran, Roach, McCormick (P), Robertson, McCormick (M) and McCabe requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the vote be taken as a roll call vote and this was agreed.  On a vote, Councillors McKenzie, McCormick (M), Moran, Roach, McCormick (P), Robertson and McCabe voted in favour of the amendment and Councillors Fyfe, Hill, Gallacher, Blair, Tucker, Mitchell, White, Snoddy, Forbes, Stewart, Nimmo and Hunter voted in favour of the minute which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute be approved