Education and Lifelong Learning Committee

Tuesday 23 August 2005 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Gallacher, Hill, McCabe, McKenzie, Mitchell, Robertson, Snoddy, Tucker and White, 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 Community Services, Director of Education Services, Head of Pre-5 and Children’s Services, Head of SEN and IT, Head of Planning and Resources, Head of Support for Learning, Dr N Lawrie, Acting Head of Service, Chief Financial Officer, Mr G Douglas (for Solicitor to the Council) and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

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.

572

Revenue Budget 2005/06 - Period 3

572

There was submitted a report dated 29 July 2005 by the Chief Financial Officer on (1) the 2004/05 Revenue Budget outturn position and (2) the position of the 2005/06 Revenue Budget as at Period 3 (30 June 2005).

Noted

573

Capital Programme 2005/06 to 2007/08 - Progress

573

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on the progress of the Capital Programme 2005/06 to 2007/08.

Noted

574

Naming of Amalgamated King’s Glen and Oakfield Primary Schools - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

574

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to approve the name King’s Oak Primary School for the amalgamated King’s Glen and Oakfield Primary Schools.

Noted

575

Oakfield Primary School:  Report on Current Developments

575

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising that Councillors Tucker, McCabe and McCormick (M) had approved arrangements for the decanting of Oakfield Primary School and the accommodating of all of the pupils of the amalgamated school within the King’s Glen school building pending completion of the refurbishment works and (2) setting out the implications arising from provision of free transport to the pupils.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted;  and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services in consultation with Councillors Hill, Tucker and Robertson to consider the appropriate level of transport subsidy to be provided to pupils of St Michael’s Primary School who live less than one mile from the temporary accommodation within the former Holy Family School building, in the light of the delays in completion of the refurbishments works.

576

Inverkip Primary School - Extension Proposals

576

There was submitted a report dated August 2005 by the Director of Education Services on proposals for the extension of Inverkip Primary School to meet the anticipated increase in the school roll.

Decided:

(1)      that agreement be given to the scope of the project as detailed in paragraph 2.1 of the report but that approval be given to the separation of the contract to allow the works to extend the existing playground to be carried out as the first phase, the cost to be contained within the overall allocation for the project; 

(2)      that agreement be given to a £370,000 increase in the allocation for the Inverkip Primary School extension project within the Education Capital Programme and that this be met from the uncommitted amount contained within the overall Capital Programme;  and

(3)      that it be remitted to the Solicitor to the Council to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the works, to be carried out in two phases as outlined above, and that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest acceptable tender in each case.

577

Consultative Paper in Respect of Carsemeadow Nursery School

577

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking approval for the issue of a consultative paper in respect of the proposal to close Carsemeadow Nursery School in June 2006 and open a new nursery class in Kilmacolm Primary School in August 2006.

Decided:

(1)      that the following proposals be issued for consultation:-

(i)       that Carsemeadow Nursery School be closed formally in June 2006;

(ii)      that a new nursery class be opened in Kilmacolm Primary School in August 2006;

(2)      that the report be issued as a consultative document and made available to all interested parties including Kilmacolm Primary School Board and that all parties be asked to make written submissions to the Director of Education Services at 105 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1HU by no later than Friday 30 September 2005;  and

(3)      that the Director of Education Services prepare a report on the results of the consultative process for consideration at a future meeting of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

(Councillor Snoddy left the meeting at this juncture).

578

Progress Report on the Implementation of the Determined to Succeed Initiative in Inverclyde Schools

578

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of progress made in the Determined to Succeed Initiative, (2) explaining the focus of future developments and funding and (3) seeking approval for the continued involvement of Inverclyde schools in the Initiative, launched by the Scottish Executive in 2002 to promote enterprise-related activities in Scottish schools.

Decided:

(1)      that the progress made to date be noted;

(2)      that future developments in relation to the Determined to Succeed Initiative be noted; and

(3)      that approval be given to the continued involvement of Inverclyde Schools in the Initiative in future years.

579

Implications of “Lifelong Partners” Report on School-College Links

579

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on the implications for Inverclyde Council Education Services and schools of the recent Scottish Executive report “Lifelong Partners:  Scotland’s Schools and Colleges - Building the Foundations of a Lifelong Learning Society”.

(Councillor Blair left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that the Committee note the issues arising from the implementation of the “Lifelong Partners” report.

580

Upgrading of the Annexe at Hillend Children’s Centre

580

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on proposals for the upgrading of the annexe at Hillend Children’s Centre.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the upgrading of the annexe at Hillend Children’s Centre and for the proposed use of the annexe, all as detailed in the report;

(2)      that it be remitted to the Solicitor to the Council to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the work;  and

(3)      that it be noted that acceptance of the lowest tender will be in accordance with the Standing Orders relating to Contracts.

581

Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) in Inverclyde

581

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of progress made in the implementation of Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) within Inverclyde and (2) advising that the programme had been extended to cover 16 and 17 year olds who remain in full time education.

Decided:

(1)      that it be noted that Education Services will administer the payment of EMAs to eligible pupils born during the period 1 March 1988 and 28 February 1990 and that payment of the EMAs will be undertaken by Finance Services;  and

(2)      that agreement be given to adopt the policy document set out in appendix 1 to the report as the basis for the provision of EMAs in Inverclyde.

582

Education Service Plan 2005/06

582

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking approval of the Education Service Plan 2005/06 and for its distribution to key stakeholders.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the draft Education Service Plan 2005/06 as set out in the appendix to the report and for its publication and distribution to key stakeholders;  and°

(2)      that further information in respect of attainment, achievement and targets will be added to the Plan in December 2005 to complete the full Service Improvement Plan.

583

The School Estates Strategy:  Inclusion of a Public Library Within the New Primary School in Port Glasgow

583

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on options for library provision in Port Glasgow including the option to include a public library facility within the new primary school at Boglestone.

(Councillor McCabe left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Following discussion, Mr Tracey moved that Option B be adopted (the status quo supplemented with restricted access to the library provision within the new primary school at Boglestone).  As an amendment, Councillor White moved that Option A be adopted (the status quo with the use of Port Glasgow Library).  On a vote, 4 Members voted for the amendment and 7 for the motion which was declared carried.  3 of the 4 Members who 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 agreement be given to the adoption of Option B (the status quo supplemented with restricted access to the library provision within the new primary school at Boglestone).

C

584

Proposal for Replacement of Rainbow Family Centre

584

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) on a range of options for the relocation of Rainbow Family Centre and (2) seeking approval to rebuild the Centre at a new location.

Decided:

(1)      that, taking account of the recommendations of the options appraisal exercise, agreement be given to the provision of a new build Child and Family Centre in the Park Farm area, Port Glasgow;

(2)      that it be remitted to the Head of Property Services to give further consideration to the available sites within Park Farm and to recommend a preferred site to the Committee;  and

(3)      that it be remitted to the Head of Property Services to progress the design of the new build Centre and supply a detailed cost analysis for the project for submission to the next meeting of the Committee.