Education & Lifelong Learning Committee

Tuesday 27 May 2003 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Forbes, Gallacher, McCabe, McKenzie, Mitchell, Robertson, Snoddy and Tucker, Father T Boyle and Rev C McGranaghan, Church Representatives.

Chair:  Councillor Mitchell presided. 

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Director of Education Services, Director of Finance, Ms L Brabender (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committee/Contracts).

Apologies:  Councillors Blair and White and Rev Miller.

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.

388

Proposals Submitted by Councillor Mitchell

388

There was submitted report dated 14 May 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from Councillor Mitchell that the Committee consider the following proposals:-

"1.         No further time spent processing PPP for education.

2.          No consideration be given to a "not for profit trust" for education.

3.         Our officials be instructed to investigate all other ways of raising funds for education capital expenditure.

4.         The services of our outside consultants for legal and financial services be dispensed with.

5.         We retain the services of McKenzie Partnership and ask them to complete the physical survey they have started.

6.         We confirm that Springfield Primary close in June 2004 and the pupils transfer to Larkfield.

7.         We proceed to create a footprint of a new school at Robert Street, Port Glasgow and Gilmour Street, Greenock."

Councillor Mitchell advised the Committee that items 1 to 5 of his request had been superseded by the terms of the policy statement agreed by the Policy & Strategy Committee on 22 May 2003, the minute of which was circulated to the Committee.

Following discussion, Councillor Mitchell moved:-

(1) that the Director of Education Services submit for consideration by the Committee, revised proposals and statutory consultation documents in respect of the following, based on closures and amalgamations, clearly identifying the operational, financial, legal and staffing implications in line with the Council's financial regulations and corporate governance requirements:-

       (a)  the provision of Denominational Primary Education in Port Glasgow;

       (b)  the provision of Non-Denominational Primary Education in Port Glasgow;

       (c)  the provision of Denominational Primary Education in East Greenock;

       (d)  the provision of Non-Denominational Primary Education in East Greenock;

       (e)  the provision of Non-Denominational Primary Education across Larkfield, Springfield and Ravenscraig;

       (f)   the provision of Secondary Education in Inverclyde taking into account the proposed retention of Wellington Academy, Greenock;  and

(2) that it be remitted to the appropriate Officers to investigate further potential sites for new schools at Robert Street, Port Glasgow and Gilmour Street, Greenock.

As an amendment, Councillor Robertson moved that the new proposals include the refurbishment of all remaining school buildings and the provision of new schools in Port Glasgow, East Greenock and South West Greenock.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 5 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 Director of Education Services submit for consideration by the Committee revised proposals and statutory consultation documents in respect of the following based on closures and amalgamations, clearly identifying the operational, financial, legal and staffing implications in line with the Council's financial regulations and corporate governance requirements:-

C

       (a)  the provision of Denominational Primary Education in Port Glasgow;

       (b)  the provision of Non-Denominational Primary Education in Port Glasgow;

       (c)  the provision of Denominational Primary Education in East Greenock;

       (d)  the provision of Non-Denominational Primary Education in East Greenock;

       (e)  the provision of Non-Denominational Primary Education across Larkfield, Springfield and Ravenscraig;

       (f)   the provision of Secondary Education in Inverclyde taking into account the proposed retention of Wellington Academy, Greenock;  and

(2) that it be remitted to the appropriate Officers to investigate further potential sites for new schools at Robert Street, Port Glasgow and Gilmour Street, Greenock.

389

The Provision of Education for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Children in Inverclyde:  Result of Further Consultation

389

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising the Committee of the progress of the further consultations which have taken place with the parents of pupils attending Garvel School, staff and other interested parties regarding the Provision of Education for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Children in Inverclyde, (2) setting out the views expressed and (3) requesting the Committee to consider deferring a decision regarding the future of Garvel School until an Estate Strategy for all Inverclyde educational establishments has been developed.

Decided:

(1)  that the Committee note the consultation with parents, staff and other interested bodies and the views expressed, the vast majority of which favour a move to a mainstream primary school;  and

(2)  that consideration of the Provision of Education for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Children in Inverclyde be continued until the completion of the Council's Estate Strategy in December 2003.

390

The Provision of Primary Education in Inverkip/Wemyss Bay:  Consultation Document

390

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services recommending that a consultation document be issued relative to the Provision of Primary Education in Inverkip/Wemyss Bay based on the following proposals:-

(a)      that Wemyss Bay Primary School be refurbished with the addition of a four classroom extension and appropriate support areas;

(b)      that a new denominational primary school serving Wemyss Bay and Inverkip with a capacity of 231, designed to include enhanced pre-school education and child care and community facilities, be built on the site of the community centre as shown in Appendix 2 of the consultation document;

(c)      that from December 2004 Wemyss Bay Primary School be re-delineated as shown in Appendix 3;

(d)      that from December 2004 Inverkip Primary School be re-delineated as shown in Appendix 4;

(e)      that from December 2005 the delineated area for the new denominational school serving Inverkip and Wemyss Bay be as shown in Appendix 5;

(f)       that the new denominational primary school serving Inverkip and Wemyss Bay be associated with St Columba's High School;

(g)      that from December 2005 St Ninian's Primary School be re-delineated as shown in Appendix 6.

Decided:  that the recommendations be agreed in principle but that the issue of the consultation document be delayed until funding has been identified and the Schools Estate Strategy has been completed.

391

The Provision of Denominational Primary Education Across Holy Cross and St Joseph's Primary Schools:  Consultation Document

391

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services recommending that a consultation document be issued relative to the Provision of Denominational Primary Education across Holy Cross and St Joseph's Primary Schools based on the following proposals:-

(a)      that St Joseph's and Holy Cross Primary Schools be closed formally in June 2004;

(b)      that the pupils attending St Joseph's and Holy Cross Primary Schools transfer to a new school with a capacity of 264 to be built on the site of the former high flats at Grieve Road, as shown in Appendix 2 of the consultation document;

(c)      that the St Joseph's and Holy Cross Primary School buildings continue in use as annexes of the new school until completion of the new school;

(d)      that from December 2003 the delineated area for the new school, replacing St Joseph's and Holy Cross Primary Schools, be as shown in Appendix 3;

(e)      that the early years provision in Bluebird Children's Centre be relocated in the new school;

(f)       that the pre-school education provision in the area be supplemented through the establishment of a nursery class in Lady Alice Primary School.

(Provost Rebecchi left the meeting and Councillor Gallacher entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Following discussion, Councillor Mitchell moved that the recommendations contained in the report be not accepted and that the Director of Education Services submit revised proposals and a statutory consultation document for consideration by the Committee based on closure and amalgamation with no new provision, clearly identifying the operational, financial, legal and staffing implications in line with the Council's financial regulations and corporate governance requirements.

As an amendment, Councillor Robertson moved (1) that the building of a new school be not ruled out and (2) that consideration of the provision of Denominational Primary Education across Holy Cross and St Joseph's Primary Schools be deferred pending submission of the Council's Estate Strategy.

On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 5 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:  that the recommendations contained in the report be not accepted and that the Director of Education Services submit revised proposals and a statutory consultation document for consideration by the Committee based on closure and amalgamation with no new provision, clearly identifying the operational, financial, legal and staffing implications in line with the Council's financial regulations and corporate governance requirements.

.

C

392

Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2002 - Application of Section 15:  Presumption of Mainstream Education

392

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising that Section 15 of the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2002 will come into effect on 1 August 2003 and (2) outlining the procedures and processes which require to be put in place to comply with the new provisions.

Decided:  that the Committee note the presumption of mainstream education as set out in Section 15 of the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2002.

393

Protection of Children at Work

393

There was submitted a report dated 19 May 2003 by the Director of Education Services appending amended byelaws for the protection of children at work within Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)  that The Inverclyde Council be recommended to approve the making of the amended byelaws for the protection of children at work within Inverclyde;

(2)  that following approval by The Inverclyde Council, the Director of Education Services write to the Scottish Ministers seeking approval of the byelaws;

(3)  that the necessary public notice be placed within the local press;  and

(4)  that the Director of Education Services publicise the byelaws following confirmation by the Scottish Ministers through the production of a leaflet for distribution throughout the community.

394

Hungry for Success

394

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the progress made in meeting the requirements of the National Health document "Hungry for Success".

Decided:  that the Committee note the existing examples of good practice being carried out within Education Services and Catering Services and the further developments proposed to meet the recommendations of the "Hungry for Success" document.

395

The School Estate Strategy:  "Building Our Future - Scotland's School Estate"

395

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising the Committee of (a) the national school estate strategy "Building our Future - Scotland's School Estate", (b) the resource allocations made to Inverclyde Council for 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 in terms of the Scottish Executive Circular No 3/2003, the Schools Fund, and (c) the support made available to the Council for the preparation of its schools estate management plan and (2) seeking the Committee's approval to proceed with the projects listed in Appendix 4 for the use of the 2003/04 allocation from Circular No 3/2003.

Decided:

(1)  that the content of the school estate strategy "Building our Future - Scotland's School Estate" be noted;

(2)  that the allocations to the Council of £698,000, £1,459,000 and £1,459,000 for years 2003 - 2006 from the Schools Fund be noted;

(3)  that the support of £76,200 for the preparation of the Council's schools estate management plan be noted;

(4)  that approval be given to use the funds for the projects listed in Appendix 4, viz:-

Project

Description

Estimated Cost

Gourock High School

Rewire Phase 2

£145,000

St Stephen's High School

Next Phase of Replacement Windows

£100,000

Various Establishments

Asbestos Surveys

£100,000

Various Establishments

Water Quality

£50,000

Port Glasgow High School

Pipework Replacement Phase 2

£50,000

St Ninian's Primary

Assembly Hall Roof

£50,000

Aileymill Nursery

Window Replacement

£15,000

Glenburn School

Removal of Asbestos in  Corridor Ceilings Phase 1

£35,000

Various Establishments

Health and Safety Issues

£60,000

Unallocated

£93,000

TOTAL

£698,000

(5)  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the projects and that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest tenders received in accordance with the provisions of the financial regulations and the standing orders relating to contracts;

(6)  that approval be given to use the unallocated sum of £93,000 and the £60,000 for health and safety issues on projects agreed by the Director of Education Services and Head of Property Services;

(7)  that in respect of the Gourock High School Phase 2 rewiring project, authority be granted to negotiate a price with Wm Lafferty Ltd, the contractor appointed to undertake Phase 1, and to accept the negotiated tender subject to the Head of Property Services being satisfied that this provides best value for the Council;  and

(8)  that in respect of the Port Glasgow High School Phase 2 pipework replacement project, authority be granted to negotiate a price with G D Chalmers Ltd, the contractor appointed to undertake Phase 1, and to accept the negotiated tender subject to the Head of Property Services being satisfied that this provides best value for the Council.

It was agreed in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6, 8 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

396

Gourock Primary School:  Turfing Works

396

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on proposals for completion of the turfing works to the pitch at Gourock Primary School.

Decided:  that approval be given to incur expenditure of £14,389.06, being 50% of the total cost of turfing the Gourock Primary School pitch and that the Head of Property Services on behalf of the Director of Education Services instruct the contractor Ballast Construction to carry out the work.