Education and Lifelong Learning Committee

Wednesday 10 August 2005 at 1.30 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Hill, McCabe, McKenzie, Robertson, Snoddy and White, Father T Boyle, Rev W Armstrong and Rev C McGranaghan, Church Representatives.     

Chair:  In the absence of the Convener and Vice-Convener, it was agreed unanimously that the Chair be assumed by Councillor Forbes.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Education Services, Head of Special Educational Needs and IT, Solicitor to the Council, Chief Financial Officer, Mr N McLaren (for Head of Planning Services), Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services) and Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice).

Apologies:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Mitchell and Tucker and Mr T Tracey, Teacher Representative.

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

The Chairman 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 at the earliest opportunity of the position in respect of the refurbishment of Oakfield Primary School.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

561

Update on the Refurbishment of Oakfield Primary School

561

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of the progress of the refurbishment works at Oakfield Primary School and the need to decant the school to the King’s Glen school building pending completion of the project and (2) seeking approval for the provision of free transport for pupils of Oakfield Primary School to and from the King’s Glen building.

(Councillor Robertson entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)      that the current position in respect of the Oakfield refurbishment works and the requirement to decant the school be noted;

(2)      that approval be given to the provision of free transport to pupils of Oakfield Primary School to and from the King’s Glen building at an estimated cost of £30,000 together with further estimated revenue costs of £20,000 in respect of removals and adaptations;

(3)      that it be noted that the Director of Education Services will aim to contain these costs within the core Education budget and the School Estate budget; and

(4)      that the decant arrangements remain in place until the completion of the refurbishment of the Oakfield Primary School building and thereafter, the amalgamated school transfer to the refurbished building.

It was agreed unanimously 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 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.

562

Secondary Schools - Potential Site

562

There was submitted a report dated 4 August 2005 by the Chief Executive advising of the latest position regarding a potential site for the provision of a secondary school which the Committee had previously instructed be the subject of further review.  The Committee decided not to approve the acquisition of the site for a secondary school for a number of reasons, all as detailed in the Appendix.

With the agreement of the Leader of the Council, it was decided to cancel the meeting of the Policy & Strategy Committee provisionally scheduled for 3pm on Thursday 11 August 2005, it being noted that as a consequence of this decision, there would be no requirement to convene the meeting of The Inverclyde Council arranged for 4pm on that day.