Education and Lifelong Learning Committee

Tuesday 22 August 2006 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Forbes, Gallacher, McKenzie, Mitchell, Robertson, Tucker and White, Father M McMahon, Rev W Armstrong and Rev C McGranaghan, Church Representatives, Mr R Henderson, Parent Representative 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 and 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), Head of Property Services and Mr E Montgomery (Property Services).

Apologies:  Councillors Blair, Hill, McCabe and Snoddy.

511

Ms Elinor Henderson

511

The Convener referred to the forthcoming retiral of Ms Elinor Henderson, Head of Pre-5 and Children's Services.  On behalf of the Committee, he thanked Ms Henderson for her many years of service to the Council and conveyed his best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

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.

512

Revenue Budget 2006/07 - Period 3

512

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer on the outturn of the 2005/06 Revenue Budget and the 2006/07 Revenue Budget position as at Period 3 (30 June 2006).

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the outturn for 2005/06 and the current projected overspend of £149,000 for 2006/07 as at 30 June 2006;  and

(2)      that it be noted that the Director of Education Services in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer will review the overall budget and report back to the next meeting of the Committee either showing that the expenditure can be contained or making recommendations as to how this can be achieved.

513

Capital Programme 2006/07 to 2007/08 - Progress

513

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on the progress of the Capital Programme 2006/07 to 2007/08.

The Director of Education Services advised the Committee that the Chief Executive had received confirmation from the Scottish Executive of a conditional offer of revenue support for the PPP project at an amount of £5.73m per annum for 30 years.  He confirmed that a detailed report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.T

Decided:

(1)      that the progress of the specific projects detailed in the appendices to the report be noted;

(2)      that it be remitted to the Solicitor to the Council to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the undernoted projects and, where appropriate, delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest acceptable tender in each case:

Gourock High School New Modular Accommodation -           £200,000

Gourock High School Existing Modular Building Refurbishment -                  £  50,000

Greenock Academy PE Department Works -          £150,000

Greenock High School Pitch Upgrade and Changing Accommodation -           £100,000

St Ninian's Primary School Replacement Windows -           £170,000;  and

(3)      that it be noted that the Director of Education Services will report to the next meeting of the Committee with a detailed report on the conditional offer of revenue support grant for the PPP project received from the Scottish Executive.

514

Update on Work Required at Notre Dame High School and St Columba's High School

514

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) providing an appraisal of the current condition of Notre Dame High School and St Columba's High School, (2) detailing the maintenance work required, (3) advising of the restrictions on expenditure in terms of the Best Value Regime and (4) providing information on the work carried out during the school summer holidays 2006.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted;  and

(2)      that it be noted that the Director of Education Services in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer will identify a budget which can be vired from within the Education Services Budget to finance the works at the two schools.

515

School Asset Management Strategy - Funding of New Primary Schools

515

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of the process adopted in evaluating which two new primary schools should be included within the PPP project and which should be prudentially funded and (2) seeking approval for (a) retention within the PPP component of the programme of the new schools replacing St Kenneth's/St Lawrence's Primary Schools and Earnhill/Ravenscraig Primary Schools and (b) the transfer of the school replacing Highlander's Academy/Overton Primary School to the Prudential component of the programme.

Following discussion, Councillor Mitchell moved that the new school replacing Overton Primary School/Highlander's Academy be prudentially funded and that the new schools to replace St Kenneth's/St Lawrence's Primary Schools and Earnhill/Ravenscraig Primary Schools be retained within the PPP component of the programme.

As an amendment, Councillor Robertson moved (1) that the proposals contained in Councillor Mitchell's motion be agreed and (2) that it be remitted to the appropriate Officers to re-examine the possible sites for the school to replace Highlander's Academy/Overton Primary School to ascertain if an alternative to the site of the former Hector McNeil Swimming Baths can be found.  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:   that the new school replacing Overton Primary School/Highlander's Academy be prudentially funded and that the new schools to replace St Kenneth's/St Lawrence's Primary Schools and Earnhill/Ravenscraig Primary Schools be retained within the PPP component of the programme.

C

516

Education Service Plan 2006/07

516

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking approval of the Education Service Plan 2006/07 and its distribution to key stakeholders.

Decided:

(1)      that the content of the Education Service Plan 2006/07 and the arrangements for publication and distribution of the document as set out in the report be approved;  and

(2)      that it be noted that further information on attainment, achievement and targets will be added to the Plan in December 2006 which will complete the full Service Improvement Plan.

517

Report on the Integrated Inspection of Early Education and Childcare Services in Scotland

517

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the publication by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education and the Care Commission of the Integrated Inspection of Early Education and Childcare Services in Scotland for the period April 2003 to June 2005, copies of which were circulated to the Committee.

Decided:  that the Committee note the content of the report on Early Education and Childcare in Scotland and the further actions of the Director of Education Services in responding to the developments relative to the future inspections programme.

518

Funding of Additional Teachers 2006/07

518

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising that Inverclyde Council had received funding of £242,000 as part of the one-off allocation of £14.5m in 2006/07 received from the Scottish Executive for the employment of additional teachers and (2) seeking approval for the disbursement of the additional funding in line with the grant conditions specified by the Scottish Executive.

Decided:  that approval be given to the use of the funding to employ temporary teachers to meet the Scottish Executive's class size reduction targets in P1 and S1 and S2 English and Mathematics classes.

519

More Choices, More Chances:  A Strategy to Reduce the Proportion of Young People Not In Education, Employment or Training in Scotland

519

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) providing information on the Scottish Executive's Strategy Document "More Choices, More Chances:  A Strategy to Reduce the Proportion of Young People Not In Education, Employment or Training (NEET) in Scotland" and (2) examining the role of Education Services in reducing the number of young people in the NEET category within Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)      that the scope of the issue and the Scottish Executive strategy as detailed in the report be noted;  and

(2)      that agreement be given to the establishment of a multi-agency group to implement the recommendations of the strategy document.

520

Guidelines on Children Who Fail to Arrive at School and Guidelines on Children Missing from Education

520

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking approval for procedures to be followed by establishments when a pupil or young person fails to arrive at school and no explanation is provided by the family or carers.

Decided:  that approval be given to the guidelines on children who fail to arrive at school as set out in appendix 1 to the report and the guidelines for children missing from education as set out in appendix 2.

521

Curriculum for Excellence

521

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 for activities related to "A Curriculum for Excellence" and (2) seeking approval for the Director of Education Services to use this funding in accordance with the guidance set out by the Scottish Executive.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted;  and

(2)      that approval be granted to the Director of Education Services to use the funds in accordance with the guidance set out by the Scottish Executive.

522

Improving the Health of Scotland's Children

522

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the response made by Education Services to the Scottish Executive's consultation on the Schools (Nutrition and Health Promotion) (Scotland) Bill, "Improving the Health and Nutrition of Scotland's Children".

Decided:  that approval be given to the response made by Education Services to the Scottish Executive as detailed in the report.

523

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

523

There was submitted a report by the Solicitor to the Council advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive since the last ordinary meeting of the Committee (1) to authorise the issue of tenders for various schools projects, (2) to authorise the issue of tenders for projects at Kilmacolm Primary School, (3) to authorise the acceptance of a tender for the Earnhill Primary School Sports Pitch, (4) to homologate the issue of tenders for the Ball Court at Lilybank School and (5) to authorise the relocation of a temporary classroom building from St Joseph's Primary School to St Ninian's Primary School.

Noted

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)

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive                                    6 and 8

Speech and Language Therapy Contract 2006-2009                                6 and 8

St Michael's Primary School - Authority to Exceed Approved Budget  6, 8 and 9

St Joseph's Primary School - Authority to Exceed Approved Budget   6, 8 and 9

524

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

524

There was submitted a report by the Solicitor to the Council advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive since the last ordinary meeting of the Committee (1) to authorise acceptance of tenders for contracts for the provision of transport for children with additional support needs for 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 and (2) to homologate the issue of tenders for mainstream school transport contracts due for renewal from the start of the school session 2006/07.

Decided:

(1)      that the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive be noted;  and

(2)      that it be noted that the Director of Education Services will be carrying out a full review of the processes and matters involved in the tendering exercise for the mainstream school transport contracts and will submit a report to the next meeting of the Committee.

525

Speech and Language Therapy Contract 2006-2009

525

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of the requirement to renew the contract for speech and language therapy services and (2) recommending acceptance of a contract in this regard.

Decided:  that agreement be given to enter into a contract with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde for the provision of speech and language therapy services for young people during the period 2006-2009 at the costs specified in section 6 of the report.

526

St Michael's Primary School , Port Glasgow - Authority to Exceed Approved Budget

526

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking authority to exceed the approved budget for the works at St Michael's Primary School, Port Glasgow in accordance with the Council's Financial Regulations.

The Committee decided (1) to approve the budget for the project being exceeded for the reasons detailed in the report, (2) to note that the Head of Property Services will continue to negotiate with the contractor in respect of the final account and completion of the contract works, (3) to approve expenditure in excess of the approved budget up to a maximum amount and (4) to note that the additional funding will be contained within the overall Education Capital Programme 2006/08, all as detailed in the appendix.

527

St Joseph's Primary School, Greenock - Authority to Exceed Approved Budget

527

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking authority to exceed the approved budget for the works at St Joseph's Primary School, Greenock in accordance with the Council's Financial Regulations.

The Committee decided (1) to approve the budget for the project being exceeded for the reasons detailed in the report, (2) to note that the Head of Property Services will continue to negotiate with the contractor in respect of the final account and completion of the contract works, (3) to approve expenditure in excess of the approved budget up to a maximum amount and (4) to note that the additional funding will be contained within the overall Education Capital Programme 2006/08, all as detailed in the appendix.