Education & Lifelong Learning Committee

Wednesday 13 November 2002 at 1.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Calvert, Campbell, Jackson, McCabe, McGraw, Mitchell, Morrison (D), O’Rourke, Robertson (A), Robertson (Y), Father T Boyle, Rev J Miller and Rev C McGranaghan, Church Representatives, Mrs P Purdie, Parent Representative, and Mr D Anderson, Teacher Representative.

Chair:  Councillor Robertson (A) presided. 

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Education Services, Director of Finance, Director of Legal & Support Services, Head of Personnel Services, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

With the exception of the decisions marked "C" which are open for confirmation or otherwise the following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

923

Potential Sites for New Build Primary Schools

923

There was submitted a report dated November 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the work undertaken to identify potential sites for new primary schools proposed in the Schools Public Private Partnership Outline Business Case and (2) appending a report prepared by the Cross Service Working Group, (a) providing details of the range of sites considered, (b) outlining the criteria used in evaluating each site, (c) highlighting the conclusions of the evaluation process and (d) making recommendations for a preferred site for each school.   The Committee was advised that the reference to a new primary school in Inverkip/Wemyss Bay should be to a non-denominational school.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted;

(2)      that it be noted that the conclusions and recommendations contained within Appendix 1 had been incorporated within the consultation documents for the report on the Future Provision of Education included later in the Agenda;  and

(3)      that a report be submitted to the meeting of the Committee on 4 March 2003 providing updated information on the preferred sites for development.

924

Schools Public Private Partnership:  Revised Outline Business Case

924

There was submitted a report dated 5 November 2002 by the Director of Education Services seeking approval of a revised Outline Business Case for an Inverclyde Schools Public Private Partnership project for submission to the Scottish Executive in the light of the Executive's reassessment of the Inverclyde Council bid to take account of the capitalised interest elements and the offer of increased revenue support to £5.73m per annum over 30 years for a revised project with a capital investment value of £80m.  The report recommended that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to approve utilisation of Section 94 consent to fund the revised funding gap of £4.9™Z28m, rising by £140,000 per annum and that the Scottish Executive's approval be sought to transfer the further £2.122m over and above the £2.806m Section 94 consent rising per annum, already approved.

Following discussion, Councillor Robertson (A) moved (1) that the recommendations contained in the report be approved and (2) that in developing the PPP project Officers take account of the announcement by the Minister for Finance and Public Services regarding Fair Employment.  In particular any options regarding the provision of services must be considered through the variant bid process and ensure that the project meets the requirements of the Scottish Executive and the terms of the Revenue support offered and be subject to satisfying Best Value and Value for Money requirements.

As an amendment Councillor Mitchell moved that the revised Outline Business Case be rejected and Officials be asked to commence negotiations with the Scottish Executive regarding the possibility of £5.73m per annum being received by Inverclyde Council ring-fenced for Education capital purposes.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 10 for the motion which was declared carried.  Those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to the Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.

C

Decided:

(1)      that the revised Outline Business Case for an Inverclyde Schools Public Private Partnership project as detailed in the report (Option 1) be submitted to the Scottish Executive;

(2)      that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to approve utilisation of the Section 94 consent to fund the revised funding gap of £4.928m rising by £140,000 per annum;

(3)      that Officers be instructed to seek the Scottish Executive's approval to transfer the further £2.122m Section 94 consent, rising per annum, for the revised Outline Business Case;

(4)      that it be noted that significant effort would be expended in investigating other potential funding sources to assist in closing the funding gap and thereby limiting the impact on the Council's capital consent including the various options detailed in paragraph 8.7 of the report;  and

(5)      that in developing the PPP project Officers take account of the announcement by the Minister for Finance and Public Services regarding Fair Employment.  In particular any options regarding the provision of services must be considered through the variant bid process and ensure that the project meets the requirements of the Scottish Executive and the terms of the Revenue support offered and be subject to satisfying Best Value and Value for Money requirements.

C

925

Future Provision of Education in Inverclyde

925

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) providing background information relating to the provision of school accommodation in Inverclyde, (2) setting out the vision for the future provision of education within Inverclyde and (3) seeking approval for the issue of the consultative documents appended to the report in respect of (a) the provision of secondary education in Inverclyde, (b) the provision of denominational primary education in Port Glasgow, (c) the provision of non-denominational primary education in Port Glasgow, (d) the provision of denominational primary education in East Greenock, (e) the provision of non-denominational primary education in East Greenock, (f) the provision of primary education in Inverkip/Wemyss Bay=, (g) the provision of non-denominational primary education across Springfield, Larkfield and Ravenscraig Primary Schools, (h) the provision of denominational prim, (g) the provision of non-denominational primary education across Springfield, Larkfield and Ravenscraig Primary Schools, (h) the provision of denominational primary education across Holy Cross and St Joseph's Primary Schools and (i) the provision of education for deaf and hearing impaired children in Inverclyde.

Following discussion Councillor Robertson (A) moved (1) that the report be approved and (2) that authority be given to issue the various consultative documents at the earliest possible date following the meeting of the Committee.

As an amendment, Councillor Campbell moved that the Council not accept the contents of the report nor issuing the consultative documents and instead:-

(a)      the undernoted alternative proposals 1 to 11 (below) be issued for consultation subject to the proposals being developed to meet the statutory requirements and to provide the necessary statutory information; and

(b)      the non-denominational primary school at Wemyss Bay remain in its present building (Ardgowan Road).

Alternative Proposals

1.       that Wellington Academy remain.

2.       that Slaemuir Primary move to Port Glasgow High with preservation of its identity.  Adaptation work would be required (eg separate entrance).

3.       that Boglestone, Clune Park and Highholm Schools be replaced by a new build school as soon as possible on the recommended site.

4.       that St Francis Primary move to St Stephen's High (as above in 2).

5.       that Holy Family Primary close and pupils move to either the new St Francis or St Michael's Primary Schools.

6.       that consultation take place with St Mungo's, St Lawrence's and St Kenneth's schools with the aim of closing one in the short term and that all be replaced by a new build school later on a site to be agreed.

7.       that Springfield Primary close and integrate with Larkfield Primary.

8.       that Holy Cross Primary move to St Columba's High (as above in 2).

9.       that St Joseph's Primary close and pupils move to either Sacred Heart Primary or the new Holy Cross Primary.

10.     that further consideration be given to siting a new denominational school in Wemyss Bay and Inverkip.

11.     that where appropriate Catchment Areas will be reviewed.

On a vote 3 Members voted for the amendment and 12 for the motion which was declared carried.  Those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to the Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.

C

Decided:

(1)      that the report be approved;  and

C

(2)      that authority be given to issue the various consultative documents at the earliest possible date following the meeting of the Committee.