Education & Lifelong Learning Committee

Tuesday 24 August 2004 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Forbes, Gallacher, Hill, McCabe, McKenzie, Mitchell, Robertson, Snoddy and Tucker, Father T Boyle, Rev W Armstrong and Rev C McGranaghan, Church Representatives and Mr T Tracey, Teacher Representative.

Chair:  Councillor Mitchell presided. 

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Education Services, Ms L Brabender and Mr F Jarvie (for Director of Legal & Support Services) and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

Apologies:  Councillor White.

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.

497

Ms Lynda Brabender

497

It was noted that Ms Brabender, Senior Solicitor, would shortly be leaving the Council’s employment to pursue a career at the Bar.  On behalf of the Committee, the Convener conveyed his best wishes for the future.

498

Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07

498

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 add the following projects to the Capital Programme, that permission be granted to proceed to tender and that, where applicable, delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received:

Project                                                                                              Estimated Cost

                                                                                                          (including fees)

St Michael’s Primary School - Refurbishment                                  £2,100,000

St Joseph’s Primary School - Extension & Refurbishment              £1,100,000

Oakfield Primary School - Extension & Refurbishment                   £1,700,000

Inverkip Primary School - Extension                                                 £   300,000

Wemyss Bay Primary School - Extension & Refurbishment           £1,500,000

Water Systems - Category 1 Repairs Phase 1                                £   100,000

Water Systems - Category 1 Repairs Phase 2                                £   100,000

Electrical Installations - Category 1 Repairs                                     £     10,000

Asbestos Removal Generally                                                           £   210,000

St Columba’s High School - Hungry for Success (Contribution)     £     57,000

Plant Repairs etc - Contingency Allowance                                     £     50,000

(3)      that approval be given to increased expenditure of £7,000 for additional drainage and tarmacadam works in connection with the creation of a nursery classroom at Lady Alice Primary School;

(4)      that approval be given to increased expenditure of £10,000 for renewal of the existing ceiling and lighting in the hall/dining area as part of the St Ninian’s Primary School re-roofing works;  and

(5)      that the report be otherwise noted.

499

Provision of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Schools

499

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of (1) progress made towards the Government NGfL targets arising from the HMIE follow-up inspection on the Education Functions of Inverclyde Council and (2) the current position in schools relating to the use of ICT and the need to extend further the provision to meet current and developing educational curricular needs.

(Provost Rebecchi left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that the Committee note the project plan and resource requirements and approve the funding for the developments as detailed in the report.

500

Early Years Development Proposals 2004/05

500

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking approval of a range of developments in 2004/05 targeted to meet the needs of young children and families in Inverclyde, to be funded from Sure Start and Childcare Strategy.

Decided:

(1)      that it be noted that the previously approved developments set out in paragraph 4.1 of the report could now be implemented;

(2)      that approval be given to the proposed development of Paton Street Drop-in Centre as detailed in paragraph 4.2 of the report;

(3)      that approval be given to the transitional support package for out of school care provision as set out in paragraph 5.1(ii);

(4)      that approval be given to an allocation of Childcare Strategy funding to Wellington Playgroup as set out in paragraph 5.1(iii);

(5)      that approval be given to an allocation of Childcare Strategy funding to Enterprise Childcare as a contribution to the Manager’s post as set out in paragraph 5.1(iv);

(6)      that establishment of the Early Years Support Workers’ posts, the Meals Assistant and the additional post at Paton Street be referred to the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee for approval;  and

(7)      that it be noted that continued consideration was being given to proposals for enhanced provision for children with additional support needs and an Integrated Child and Family development to serve the Port Glasgow community and that further reports on these issues would be submitted to the Committee in due course.

501

Child Poverty Package - Additional Resources for  Out of School Care 2004-2005

501

There was submitted a report dated 16 July 2004 by the Director of Education Services seeking approval of recommendations made by Inverclyde Childcare Partnership regarding additional resources for out of school care services to help reduce child poverty and support parental employment in disadvantaged areas.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the provision of additional funding for out of school care as follows:-

Gamble Children’s Centre                                        £ 5,364

OSCAR                                                                     £ 9,411

Hammy’s                                                                   £ 3,623

Enterprise Childcare                                                 £ 7,602

TOTAL                                                                       £26,000;  and

(2)      that it be noted that a report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee on the “Schools Out” project.

502

“A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century”:  Management Structures in Primary, Secondary and Special Schools

502

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) on the conclusions reached with regard to the development of management structures in primary, secondary and special schools in accordance with the agreement “A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century” and (2) seeking approval for implementation of the structures which had previously been agreed by the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers.

Decided:  that approval be given to the proposals for the implementation of revised management structures in Inverclyde schools as detailed in the appendices to the report.

503

The School Estate Strategy - Financial Support for the Further Development of the Schools Estate Programme 2004/05

503

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of additional funding for the continuing development and refinement of the management of the school estate and (2) proposing a use of the funding.

Decided:

(1)      that it be noted that the Council had received an allocation of £38,100 from the £1.5M made available by the Scottish Executive to local authorities for the development of School Estate Management Plans 2004/05;  and

(2)      that approval be given to the use of the additional resources to contribute to and complement other Council expenditure on the school estate, which could include staffing and property costs.

504

School Holiday Arrangements 2005/06 and 2006/07

504

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking approval for (1) the introduction of a setting arrangement which would allow both a spring break and an October holiday falling at fixed times each year and (2) the holiday dates for the school sessions 2005/06 and 2006/07.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the fixing, from 2006, of a spring break falling on the first two full weeks in April ;

(2)      that approval be given to the fixing of an autumn break falling on the third week of October each year;  and

(3)      that the holidays for sessions 2005/06 and 2006/07 be as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

505

Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 3

505

There was submitted a report dated 30 July 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) on the position of the Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at Period 3 (30 June 2004) and (2) advising of a projected underspend of £29,000.Þ

Following discussion, Councillor McCabe moved that the fortuitous saving of £450,000 being funding received from the Treasury relative to the transfer of certain pension costs to local authorities during 2003/04 which arose from factors outwith the control of the Chief Officer be used to reinstate within the budget the cuts in the clothing and footwear grants and the provision for the outdoor education service.  As an amendment, Councillor Blair moved that the report be noted and that the fortuitous saving of £450,000 be returned to and allocated by the Policy and Strategy Committee in accordance with the terms of the Financial Regulations, it being noted that the Convener of the Policy & Strategy Committee would welcome any proposals for the use of the saving.  On a vote, 4 Members voted for the motion and 7 for the amendment which was declared carried.  Those Members who had voted in favour of the motion then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the motion.

C

Decided:  that the report be noted and that the fortuitous saving of £450,000 be returned to and allocated by the Policy and Strategy Committee in accordance with the terms of the Financial Regulations, it being noted that the Convener of the Policy & Strategy Committee would welcome any proposals for the use of the saving.

C

506

Standards and Quality in Pre-School Education and Care - June 2003 - March 2004:

Care Commission/HMIE Inspections

506

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of the key findings of the HMIE/Care Commission inspections carried out in the period 2003 - 2004 and (2) providing a summary of the outcomes of these inspections across all Early Years sectors.

Decided:  that the positive outcomes of the Early Years inspections and the further action taken by the Director of Education Services to sustain continuous improvement be noted.

507

St Stephen’s High School Artificial Pitch - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

507

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to authorise the acceptance of the lowest tender received for the construction of an artificially surfaced sports pitch at St Stephen’s High School, Port Glasgow, that by ERDC Group Ltd in the sum of £492,667.47.

Noted

508

Greenock Academy - Removal of Asbestos - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

508

There was submitted a report dated August 2004 by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to accept a quotation from Enviraz (Scotland) Ltd in the sum of £11,757 for the removal of asbestos materials and the reinstatement of suspended ceilings and light fittings in two classrooms at Greenock Academy.

Noted

509

School Demolitions - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

509

There was submitted a report dated August 2004 by the Head of Property Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to negotiate a contract with Whiteinch Demolition Ltd for the demolition of Springfield, St Mungo’s, Boglestone and Holy Cross Primary Schools and to accept the offers received from the company in the sums of £138,359.10, £98,049.60, £114,847.70 and £58,722.40 respectively.

Noted

510

Education Capital Programme 2004/05 - Additional Projects - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

510

There was submitted a report dated June 2004 by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to approve the inclusion within the Capital Programme of two projects, the removal of asbestos at Notre Dame High School (£20,000 inclusive of fees) and minor alterations required to facilitate the move from St Michael’s Primary School to Holy Family Primary School (£12,000 inclusive of fees).

Noted

511

Naming of Amalgamated Larkfield and Springfield Primary Schools and Amalgamated St Joseph’s and Holy Cross Primary Schools - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

511

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive (1) to give the name Earnhill Primary School to the amalgamated Larkfield and Springfield Primary Schools and (2) to give the name St Joseph’s Primary School to the amalgamated St Joseph’s and Holy Cross Primary Schools.

Noted

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Education Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the progress made in improving the Primary School Estate at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

512

Future Provision of Education - Primary Schools Update

512

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the progress made in improving the Primary School Estate.

Noted