Education and Lifelong Learning Committee

Tuesday 10 January 2006 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:  Director of Education Services, Head of Pre-5 and Children’s Services, Head of SEN and IT, Head of Planning & Resources, Head of Support for Learning, Dr N Lawrie, Acting Head of Service, Mr H McNeilly (for Solicitor to the Council), Mr J Aird (for Chief Financial Officer), Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services) and Head of Transportation and Roads Service.

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.

    1

Revenue Budget 2005/06 - Period 8

1

There was submitted a report dated 15 December 2005 by the Chief Financial Officer on the position of the Revenue Budget 2005/06 as at Period 8 (30 November 2005).  Mr Aird advised the Committee that the latest projected underspend in the budget was £435,000, a £77,000 increase since the last report to the Committee.

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

Decided:

(1)   that the current projected underspend of £435,000 in the Revenue Budget 2005/06 be noted;  and

(2)   that the virement requests as detailed in paragraphs 3.5 and 3.8 of the report be approved.

    2

Capital Programme 2005/06 to 2007/08 - Progress

2

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

Noted

3

Appointment of a Parent Representative to the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee

3

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising that no nominations had been received following the advertisement of the vacant position of parent representative on the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

Decided:

(1)   that it be noted that no nominations had been received for the vacant post of parent representative on the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee;

(2)   that the proposals for the nomination and election process as set out in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 of the report be approved;  and

(3)   that a report on the outcome of the nomination and election process be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

    4

Managing Attendance - Absence Statistics 4 July 2005 to 2 October 2005 (Period 3)

4

There was submitted a report dated 12 December 2005 by the Solicitor to the Council on the absence statistics for employees within Education Services for the period 4 July 2005 to 2 October 2005.

Noted

    5

The Requirements for Teachers (Scotland) Regulations 2005

5

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the duties placed on the Council as a result of the Requirements for Teachers (Scotland) Regulations 2005 and the repeal of the Schools (Scotland) Code 1956.

Noted

    6

Offer of Scottish Arts Council Grant:  Creative Links Officer Post

6

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the offer of a grant from the Scottish Arts Council to Education Services for the creation of a three year post of Creative Links Officer.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee accept the offer of Scottish Arts Council grant totalling £60,000 for the period 2006-2009;  and

(2)   that agreement be given to the recruitment of a Creative Links Officer by April  2006 to develop appropriate Arts strategies and projects in Inverclyde.

    7

Curriculum for Excellence

7

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) providing details of additional funding allocated to Inverclyde Council by the Scottish Executive to help support the engagement and development process for A Curriculum for Excellence and (2) seeking approval for the Director of Education Services to use the additional funds in accordance with the guidance set out by the Scottish Executive.

Decided:

(1)   that the report be noted;  and

(2)   that the Director of Education Services be authorised to use the additional funds as set out in the report.

    8

School Roll Projections

8

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services providing roll projections for primary and secondary schools up to 2016.

Decided:  that the 2005 roll projections and the implications arising from these be noted.

    9

Education Services:  Early Years Review

9

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of the completion of the Early Years Review and (2) requesting the Committee to consider and approve the range of recommendations made in the review document.ð

Decided:

(1)   that the completion of the Early Years Review be noted;

(2)   that the Committee endorse the recommendations of the Early Years Review as set out in Section 10, Summary of Recommendations;

(3)   that the following be adopted:

(a)   relocation of Barmoss Nursery into the new build primary school on the Boglestone site;

(b)   relocation of Blairmore Nursery School and the Pre-school Assessment and Development Unit into the new build primary school at the St Kenneth’s School site and a further review of services at the Pre-school Assessment and Development Unit;

(c)   relocation of Aileymill Nursery School into the new build primary school on the Ravenscraig site;  and

(4)   that the Early Years Review be remitted to the Policy and Strategy Committee for further consideration and approval.

  10

Port Glasgow High School Sports Pitch - Acceptance of Lowest Tender:  Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

10

There was submitted a report dated December 2005 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 renovation and extension of the existing grass pitch at Port Glasgow High School, that by Landscapes and Contracts Ltd in the sum of £134,427.18.

Noted

  11

Former Janitor’s House at Gourock  High School

11

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising that following the decision of the Committee on 18 October 2005 (para 788), Property Services had carried out a condition survey which indicated that the former janitor’s house at Gourock High School was structurally sound but required a significant degree of refurbishment and (2) recommending that as the conversion of the house to provide one extra classroom was not considered to provide Best Value for the Council, the property be demolished as previously proposed.

Decided:  that the matter be referred to the Environment and Regeneration Committee for further consideration.

12

Rainbow Family Centre Replacement

12

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) on the results of an investigation into three potential sites in the Park Farm area for the provision of a new build centre to replace Rainbow Family Centre and (2) recommending that the site at 40-58, 60-78 and 80-98 Oronsay Avenue be selected for this purpose.

Decided:

(1)   that delegated authority be granted to the Convener, Vice-Convener and Councillor Robertson to determine which of the two sites being (a) the site at 40-58, 60-78 and 80-98 Oronsay Avenue and (b) the site adjacent to the Park Farm Community Centre in Oronsay Avenue be selected as the site for the replacement family centre;

(2)   that it be remitted to the Solicitor to the Council to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the construction of the new build centre on the selected site and that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received;  and

(3)   that the Environment and Regeneration Committee be requested to authorise the transfer of the selected site from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Account.

13

Holy Family Primary School and King’s Glen Primary School - Closing Up Works

13

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on proposals for securing Holy Family Primary School and King’s Glen Primary School which are currently being used as temporary school accommodation.

Decided:

(1)   that the proposals in the report for securing Holy Family Primary School and King’s Glen Primary School buildings on vacation of the properties be approved;

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

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

14

Child Poverty Package - Additional Resources for Out of School Care 2005-06

14

There was submitted a report dated 21 December 2005 by the Director of Education Services seeking approval of the recommendations of 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:  that the recommendations for additional funding for Out of School Care be approved as follows:-

Gamble Children’s Centre                                         £10,352

Hammy’s                                                                    £  8,013

Wellington                                                                  £  7,635

TOTAL                                                                        £26,000

15

Provision of Pre-school Education in Carsemeadow Nursery School:  Results of the Consultation Process

15

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) providing information on the statutory consultation exercise relating to the future provision of pre-school education at Carsemeadow Nursery School carried out during September 2005, (2) highlighting issues and themes raised during the consultation and the implications which these have for the original proposal and (3) seeking approval for the recommendations made in respect of the consultative document.

Councillor McCabe declared a personal interest in this item and left the meeting.

Following discussion, Mr Tracey moved that the decision to close Carsemeadow Nursery School be opposed at present and that the issue of nursery provision at Carsemeadow Nursery School be re-examined when the proposals to refurbish Kilmacolm Primary School are finalised.  As an amendment, Councillor Robertson moved that consideration be continued until detailed plans for improvements to the pre-five pedestrian access, drop off points and car parking at Kilmacolm Primary School are submitted to the Committee.  As a further amendment, Councillor Blair moved that subject to the concerns expressed regarding road safety, parking and access being given serious consideration by officers and possible solutions being investigated, it be agreed (1) that Carsemeadow Nursery School be formally closed in June 2006, (2) that a new nursery class be opened in Kilmacolm Primary School in session 2006/07, (3) that the Carsemeadow building continue in use for pre-school education for children from both Inverclyde and Renfrewshire Councils until the opening of their respective nursery classes on a mutually agreed date, (4) that the savings be utilised to Prudentially Fund the adaptations and other works at £10,000 per year for the next 20 years and (5) that arrangements be made to terminate the lease of Carsemeadow Nursery with Quarriers.=

In terms of the relevant Standing Order, a vote was firstly taken between the two amendments.  3 Members voted for the amendment by Councillor Robertson and 9 for the amendment by Councillor Blair and Councillor Robertson’s amendment, having fewer votes, then fell.  On a further vote, 1 Member voted for the motion by Mr Tracey and 9 for the amendment by Councillor Blair which was declared carried.

Those Members who had voted in favour of Councillor Robertson’s amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of that amendment.

C

Decided:  that subject to the concerns expressed regarding road safety, parking and access being given serious consideration by officers and possible solutions being investigated:

C

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

(2)   a new nursery class be opened in Kilmacolm Primary School in session 2006/07;

(3)   the Carsemeadow building continue in use for pre-school education for children in both Inverclyde and Renfrewshire Councils until the opening of the respective nursery classes on a mutually agreed date;

(4)   the savings be utilised to Prudentially Fund the adaptations and other works at £10,000 per year for the next 20 years;  and

(5)   arrangements be made to terminate the lease of Carsemeadow Nursery with Quarriers.