Education and Lifelong Learning Committee

Wednesday 20 April 2005 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Mitchell presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Education Services, Head of Planning and Resources, Head of Support for Learning, Head of Pre-5 and Children’s Services, Dr N Lawrie, Acting Head of Service, Mr H McNeilly (for Head of Legal Services), Head of Planning Services and Property Services Manager.

Apologies:  Mr A Sweeney and Rev W Armstrong.

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.

353

Update on the Future Provision of Inverclyde Schools

353

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) on the current progress of the Education Asset Management Strategy, (2) seeking approval of the accommodation requirements for the new schools as the basis for the development of detailed designs, (3) requesting the Committee to agree the allocation of new primary schools across Prudential and PPP Procurement and (4) requesting the Committee to note the increase in costs resulting primarily from excess inflation and the resultant impact upon the funding model.

The Director of Education Services advised the Committee that the headings “Notre Dame High School/St Columba’s High School” and “Greenock Academy/Gourock High School” in appendix 1 to the report should be transposed.

Following discussion, Councillor Mitchell moved:

(1)      that the current position of the Education Asset Management Strategy be noted;

(2)      that approval be given to the accommodation requirements as set out in appendices 1 and 2 of the report as the basis for the development of detailed designs for new primary and secondary schools and that a report be submitted to the Committee examining the option of providing a public library attached to the new school on the Boglestone Primary School site;

(3)      that it be noted that the allocation for the future provision of Glenburn School will be transferred to the Prudential side of the funding model and that the school to replace St Kenneth’s and St Laurence’s Primary Schools on the present St Kenneth’s Primary School site in Kilmacolm Road, Greenock be transferred from the Prudential to the PPP Procurement side;  and

(4)      that the current position of the funding model, which is still within the policy context and parameters set by the Policy & Strategy Committee, be noted.

As an amendment to (3), Councillor Robertson moved that consideration of the school to be transferred from the Prudential to the PPP Procurement side be continued to the next scheduled meeting of the Committee pending a report by the Director of Education Services with recommendations as to the criteria to be used for selecting the school Wfor transfer.

On a vote, 5 Members voted for the amendment and 8 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.

Decided:

(1)      that the current position of the Education Asset Management Strategy be noted;

(2)      that approval be given to the accommodation requirements as set out in appendices 1 and 2 of the report as the basis for the development of detailed designs for new primary and secondary schools and that a report be submitted to the Committee examining the option of providing a public library attached to the new school on the Boglestone Primary School site;

C

(3)      that it be noted that the allocation for the future provision of Glenburn School will be transferred to the Prudential side of the funding model and that the school to replace St Kenneth’s and St Laurence’s Primary Schools on the present St Kenneth’s Primary School site in Kilmacolm Road, Greenock be transferred from the Prudential to the PPP Procurement side;  and

C

(4)      that the current position of the funding model, which is still within the policy context and parameters set by the Policy & Strategy Committee, be noted.

354

St Stephen’s High School, Port Glasgow - Cladding Options

354

There was submitted a report dated April 2005 by the Director of Education Services (1) on three options for render/cladding works at St Stephen’s High School, Port Glasgow and (2) advising of the current estimated cost of each of the three options.

Following discussion, Councillor Hill moved:

(1)      that approval be given to proceed with Option 1 (repairs to concrete and brickwork and replacement of all existing render) at an estimated cost of £609,000 inclusive of fees and other costs;

(2)      that it be remitted to the Head of Legal Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the works;  and

(3)      that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest acceptable tender received.

As an amendment, Councillor Robertson moved that the Committee proceed with Option 2 (repairs to concrete then overcladding with an insulation render system to rendered and brick panels and aluminium flashings to concrete elements) at an estimated cost of £1,257,000 inclusive of fees and other costs.

On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 8 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 approval be given to proceed with Option 1 (repairs to concrete and brickwork and replacement of all existing render) at an estimated cost of £609,000 inclusive of fees and other costs;

C

(2)      that it be remitted to the Head of Legal Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the works;  and

(3)      that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest acceptable tender received.

355

Lady Alice Primary School, Greenock - External Refurbishment Proposals

355

There was submitted a report dated April 2005 by the Director of Education Services on proposals for external refurbishment works at Lady Alice Primary School, Greenock.

Decided:

(1)      that the scope of the external refurbishment works at Lady Alice Primary School be as set out in paragraph 2.2 of the report at an estimated cost of £380,000 including fees and other charges, with the addition of the painting of the railings;

(2)      that the external fabric refurbishment project at Lady Alice Primary School be included in the Education Capital Programme;

(3)      that it be remitted to the Head of Legal Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the work;  and

(4)      that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest acceptable tender received.

356

St Michael’s Primary School, Port Glasgow - Acceptance of Lowest Tender:  Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

356

It was noted that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Chief Executive was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the current position regarding potential sites for secondary schools at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

357

Secondary Schools - Potential Sites

357

There was submitted a report dated 12 April 2005 by the Chief Executive on the latest position regarding potential sites for secondary schools in Inverclyde.

Decided:  that the site at Cardwell Bay as raised by the Greenock Academy School Board be not pursued as, taking account of land ownership and planning issues, it was unlikely that the site could be available in the appropriate timescale even assuming the planning issues could be satisfactorily addressed.

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 for the following items on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item             Paragraph(s)

Appendices 2 and 3 Relative to Additional Item (Secondary

Schools - Potential Sites)                                                                          6, 8 and 9

Extension and Refurbishment of St Joseph’s Primary School,

Greenock - Report on Tenders                                                                6 and 8

Appendices 3, 4 and 5 Relative to Item 1                                                8

358

Appendices 2 and 3 Relative to Additional Item (Secondary Schools - Potential Sites)

358

There were submitted appendices 2 and 3 to the Additional Item (Secondary Schools - Potential Sites) relative to the sites at Rankin Park and Fort Matilda Industrial Estate and the Committee agreed no further action in respect of the Fort Matilda Industrial Estate site and a further review of the position in respect of Rankin Park, all as detailed in the appendix.

359

Extension and Refurbishment of St Joseph’s Primary School, Greenock -

Report on Tenders

359

There was submitted a report dated April 2005 by the Director of Education Services on the results of the tender process relative to the extension and refurbishment of St Joseph’s Primary School, Greenock.

C

The Committee agreed following a vote, in respect of which those Members had voted in favour of the unsuccessful motion requested that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the motion, (1) to the adoption of certain savings, (2) to accept the lowest tender following agreement of an addendum bill of quantities to effect savings, (3) to remit it to the Director of Corporate Services to adjust the cost model to reflect the additional cost accepting the impact on the timescale for delivery of the Education Estates Strategy and (4) to note the delay to the project as a result of the lodging of objections to the application for planning permission, all as detailed in the appendix.

C

360

Appendices 3, 4 and 5 Relative to Item 1

360

There were submitted appendices 3, 4 and 5 relative to item 1 (Update on the Future Provision of Inverclyde Schools) providing funding information.

Noted