Education & Lifelong Learning Committee

Tuesday 4 May 2004 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Forbes, Hill, McCabe, McKenzie, Mitchell, Robertson, Snoddy, Tucker and White, Rev C McGranaghan, Church Representative, Mr A Sweeney, Parent Representative and Mr T Tracey, Teacher Representative.

Chair:  Councillor Mitchell presided. 

In attendance:  Director of Corporate Services, Director of Education Services, Mr H McNeilly (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Head of Personnel Services, Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services) and Community Support Services Manager.

Apologies:  Father T Boyle.

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

315

Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07 - Progress

315

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on the progress of the Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07.

Decided:

(1)      that the progress of the specific projects detailed in the appendices be noted;

(2)      that approval be given to the increased costs amounting to £14,000 in respect of the asbestos survey contract which can be contained within the current budget;  and

(3)      that the report be otherwise noted.

316

Active Schools Programme

316

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) on the Physical Activity Policy developed by Education Services and (2) seeking approval for implementation of the Active Schools Programme as part of this policy.

Decided:

(1)      that the Policy on Physical Activity in Inverclyde developed by Education Services and detailed in the appendix to the report be noted;  and

(2)      that the proposals in respect of the Active Schools Programme contained in the report be approved.

317

Accessibility Strategy for Pupils with Disabilities - 2004/2007 (Draft)

317

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of the requirement placed on Local Authorities by the Scottish Executive to produce and implement an Accessibility Strategy for pupils with disabilities and (2) seeking approval of the contents of the Strategy for 2004-2007 and for its submission to the Scottish Executive.

Decided:  that the draft Accessibility Strategy 2004-2007 set out in the appendix to the report be approved and submitted to the Scottish Executive.

318

Remit from the Community Committee - Scottish Executive Guidance for Community Learning and Development

318

There was submitted a report dated 23 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services appending a report on the Guidance issued by the Scottish Executive on Community Learning and Development which the Community Committee on 25 March 2004 had remitted to the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee for noting.

Noted

319

Hours of Attendance of Pupils in P1 and P2

319

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on proposed changes in the hours of P1 and P2 pupils.

Noted

320

Temporary Modular Building for Primary Education:  Acceptance of Tender - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

320

There was submitted a report dated April 2004 by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to accept the lowest tender received for the provision of temporary modular buildings for primary education, that by Sibcas Ltd in the sum of £98,137.72.

Noted

321

New Opportunities Fund Projects:  Issue of Tenders - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

321

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to issue tenders in respect of the proposed New Opportunities Fund projects comprising (1) a water sports base at Battery Park and (2) an artificial sports pitch at St Stephen’s High School.

Noted

322

St Stephen’s High School and  Greenock High School - Concrete and Render Repairs

322

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of the results of surveys into concrete and render defects at St Stephen’s High School and Greenock High School and (2) requesting permission to proceed with contracts for remedial works.

Following discussion, Councillor Mitchell moved:

(1)      that the results of the surveys into concrete and render defects at Greenock High School and St Stephen’s High School be noted;  and

(2)      that the proposed projects for remedial works as detailed in paragraph 7.1 of the report be agreed, that permission be granted to proceed to tender and that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest acceptable tender received  for the works at St Stephen’s High School.

As an amendment, Councillor Robertson moved that the works at Greenock High School proceed on the basis detailed in the report but that a decision on the works at St Stephen’s High School be deferred pending consideration of the report on the recommendations of the Cross Party Review Group relative to the future provision of secondary education in Inverclyde.  On a vote, 5 Members voted for the amendment and 6 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 results of the surveys into concrete and render defects at Greenock High School and St Stephen’s High School be noted;  and

(2)      that the proposed projects for remedial works as detailed in paragraph 7.1 of the report be agreed, that permission be granted to proceed to tender and that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest acceptable tender received for the works at St Stephen’s High School.

C

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Corporate Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to approve arrangements for the filling of the post of Director of Education Services at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

323

Arrangements for Filling Vacant Post of Director of Education Services

323

There was submitted a report dated 29 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services requesting the Committee to agree arrangements for the filling of the post of Director of Education Services.

Decided:

(1)      that the arrangements for filling the post of Director of Education Services as detailed in the report be approved;  and

(2)      that the Shortlisting and Interview Sub-Committees comprise Councillors Mitchell, Tucker, Blair, McCabe and Robertson.

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 and 8 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

324

Future Provision of Education - School Removals:  Acceptance of Tender - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

324

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to accept the tender received from Andrew Moran and Son in the sum of £36,482.17 for the decant and transfer of resources and waste materials in connection with school removals.

Noted