Education & Lifelong Learning Committee

Tuesday 9 January 2007 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Hill, McCabe, McKenzie, Mitchell, Robertson, Snoddy, 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:  Corporate Director Education & Social Care, Head of Schools, Head of Lifelong Learning & Educational Support, Acting Head of Service – Educational Development, Head of Support & Development, Head of Planning & Resources, Mr H McNeilly (for Head of Legal & Administration), Mr  J Aird (for Head of Finance) and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

Apologies:  Councillor Gallagher.

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

1

Revenue Budget 2006/07 – Period 7

1

There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance on the position of the 2006/07 Revenue Budget as at Period 7 (31 October 2006) which showed a current projected underspend of £25,000.

Decided:

(1) that the current projected underspend of £25,000 for 2006/07 as at 31 October 2006, be noted;

(2) that agreement be given to virement from the Bursary budget to fund the projected overspend on Additional Support Needs (ASN) placements in 2006/07 only;  and

(3) that it be noted that the budget pressure in respect of the ASN placements has been referred to the 2007/08 budget process.

2

Capital Programme 2006/07 to 2007/08 - Progress

2

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

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

Decided:

(1) that the progress of the Capital Programme 2006/07 to 2007/08 be noted;

(2) that approval be given to the cost increase totalling £71,766 relative to the St Joseph’s Primary School refurbishment and extension contract, as detailed in appendix 3 to the report;

(3) that it be remitted to the Corporate Director Education & Social Care to progress the additional projects to utilise the additional Schools Fund allocation, as detailed in appendix 1 to the report;

(4) that in respect of projects under £100,000, it be remitted to the Corporate Director Education & Social Care in conjunction with the Head of Property Services to prepare the necessary documentation and authority be granted to the Head of Legal & Administration to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the various projects and for acceptance of the lowest tender received in each case;

(5) that in respect of projects over £100,000, it be remitted to the Corporate Director Education & Social Care in conjunction with the Head of Property Services to prepare the necessary tender documentation and authority be granted to the Head of Legal & Administration to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the various projects;  and

(6) that delegated authority be granted to the Corporate Director Education & Social Care to enter into a contract for cashless catering systems.

3

Decant Arrangements for Wemyss Bay Primary School

3

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care setting out a number of options for the decanting of pupils from Wemyss Bay Primary School during the proposed refurbishment works from Easter 2007 to Easter 2008.

Decided:

(1) that the issues highlighted in relation to the three options detailed in the report be noted;

(2) that the total financial implications of £442,000 be remitted to the Policy & Strategy Committee for consideration;

(3) that agreement be given to option 3 involving the decant of the pupils to King’s Glen Primary School;

(4) that agreement be given to relocate the nursery class to temporary accommodation situated close to the Wemyss Bay Community Hall;  and

(5) that a report on the decant arrangements be submitted to the Committee in due course.

4

St Kenneth’s Primary School

4

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care (1) on security issues at St Kenneth’s Primary School and (2) setting out the position with regard to the possible decant of the pupils to King’s Glen Primary School.

Noted

5

Update on the School Estate Management Plan

5

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care on the progress of the School Estate Management Plan comprising (1) the Prudential Schools Programme, (2) the PPP Schools Programme and (3) the Capital Programme.

Noted

6

Homologation of Decision to Issue Tenders for New Heating Controls at Kilmacolm Primary School – Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

6

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care advising of the use the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to homologate the decision to issue tenders for new heating controls at Kilmacolm Primary School.

Noted

7

Employer’s Agent, Quantity Surveying and Site Supervision Services for Prudential Schools Project – Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

7

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to accept a tender, other than the lowest, for the Employer’s Agent, Quantity Surveying and Site Supervision Services for the Prudential Schools Project.

Noted

8

Greenock Academy – Water Tank Failure

8

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care (1) advising of the failure of the main water tank at Greenock Academy and (2) setting out the action taken to install a small temporary water tank and thereafter a permanent replacement tank during the October school holiday, at a cost of £37,951 to be funded from the School Fund additional allocation received from the Scottish Executive.

Decided:  that the action taken by Officers in accordance with Section 2 of the Financial Regulations be homologated.

9

Scottish Executive Funding – Additional Financial Resources for Schools in 2006/07 – Educational Materials and Equipment

9

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care (1) advising of the offer of additional resources for schools in financial year 2006/07 and (2) seeking authority for the Corporate Director Education & Social Care to use the funds in accordance with the conditions set out by the Scottish Executive in their letter of 27 November 2006.

Decided:  that the Committee note the offer of grant of £667,000 from the Scottish Executive which is being allocated in accordance with the conditions of payment set out by the Scottish Executive in their letter of 27 November 2006.

10

Child Poverty Package – Additional Resources for Out of School Care 2006/07

10

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care seeking approval of recommendations made by the Inverclyde Childcare Partnership in respect of additional resources for out of school care services to help reduce child poverty and support parental employment in disadvantaged areas.

Decided:  that approval be given to the recommendations of the Inverclyde Childcare Partnership relative to additional funding for out of school care as follows:

Gamble Children’s Centre                                                     £11,793

Hammy’s                                                                               £  6,514

Wellington                                                                              £  7,693

TOTAL                                                                                   £26,000

11

Naming of Amalgamated Wellington Academy and Greenock High School

11

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care requesting the Committee to decide on a name for the amalgamated Wellington Academy and Greenock High School, following a ballot held by the interim school board.

Decided:  that it be agreed that Inverclyde Academy be the name for the amalgamated Wellington Academy and Greenock High School from August 2007.

12

Educational Attainment of Looked After Children

12

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care seeking approval of the joint Education & Social Care policy in respect of the education of looked after and accommodated children and young people.

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

Decided:

(1) that the joint Education & Social Care policy in respect of the education of looked after and accommodated children and young people as detailed in the appendix to the report be approved;

(2) that a seminar on the proposals for implementation of the policy be arranged for all Members of the Council;  and

(3) that regular reports on the educational attainment of looked after and accommodated young people be submitted to the Education & Lifelong Learning and Health & Social Care Committees.

13

National Review of the Early Years and Childcare Workforce

13

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care (1) on the findings of the National Review of the Early Years and Childcare Workforce and (2) setting out the proposed response to the review by the Early Years Workforce in Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1) that the findings of the National Review of the Early Years and Childcare Workforce be noted;  and

(2) that the comments detailed in Section 8 of the report be approved as the response by the Early Years Workforce in Inverclyde.

14

Parental Involvement in Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher Appointments Regulations - Consultation

14

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care seeking approval of the draft response by Education Services to the Scottish Executive consultation on the draft Parental Involvement in Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher Appointments Regulations 2007.

Decided:  that approval be given to the response to the consultation outlined in section 5 of the report.

15

Standards and Quality Report 2005/06

15

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care seeking approval of the Education Services Standards & Quality Report 2005/06 and its distribution to key stakeholders.

(Councillor White returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to the content of the Standards & Quality Report 2005/06 appended to the report and for its publication and distribution to key stakeholders;  and

(2) that the Committee’s appreciation of the achievements of Education Services and its teaching staff as contained in the report be recorded.

16

Revised Standard Circular on Attendance

16

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care recommending the introduction of a revised Standard Circular on Attendance (Standard Circular No. 5) which takes account of numerous related issues which have an influence on the attendance of children in Inverclyde schools.

Decided:

(1) that the revised Standard Circular on Attendance appended to the report be adopted for use in Education and Social Care establishments;

(2) that the Circular be subject to periodic review;  and

(3) that establishments be asked to make parents aware of the contents of the Circular.

17

Standard Circular 33 – Safety in Educational Outdoor Activities

17

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care seeking approval of Standard Circular 33, Safety in Educational Outdoor Activities.

Decided:  that approval be given to Standard Circular 33, Safety in Educational Outdoor Activities, appended to the report.

18

Disability Equality Scheme

18

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care advising of progress made in producing a Disability Equality Scheme for use in Education Services, schools and other establishments.

Decided:

(1) that the Disability Equality Scheme set out in appendix 1 to the report be approved for use and reference within Education Services, schools and other establishments;  and

(2) that the action plan within the Scheme be used as a basis for promoting disability awareness and the elimination of discrimination against disabled people.

19

Use of the Learning Game as a Supplier of Specialised Courses

19

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care seeking approval to procure the services of a company known as The Learning Game which has set up a unique programme of self-empowered learning.

Decided:  that approval be given to use The Learning Game as a supplier of specialised self-empowered learning courses with an expenditure value in excess of £10,000.

20

Communications and Language Support in Inverclyde – Request by Councillor McCabe

20

There was submitted a report by the Head of Legal & Administration on a request received from Councillor McCabe that the Committee consider a letter received by him on behalf of the parents of children attending the Communication and Language Base at St Laurence’s Primary School setting out concerns regarding the provision of support at secondary school level.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Corporate Director Education & Social Care to report to the Committee on options for the provision of community and language support at secondary school level in response to the concerns raised but also within the context of the wider issue of special education within Inverclyde.

(Councillors Forbes and White left the meeting at this juncture).

21

The West Dunbartonshire Literacy Initiative – Request by Councillor McCabe

21

There was submitted a report by the Head of Legal & Administration on a request received from Councillor McCabe that Officers produce a report for the next meeting of the Committee on the Phase 1 Research Report on the West Dunbartonshire Literacy Initiative, outlining how the conclusions of this research will influence the Council’s own strategy for raising achievement and eradicating illiteracy.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Corporate Director Education & Social Care to submit a comprehensive report on literacy within Inverclyde, the report to incorporate comparative information as well as details of projects adopted by other local authorities, including the West Dunbartonshire Literacy Initiative.

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 item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

22

Appendix Setting Out the Experience of a Number of Parents of Children Attending the Communication and Language Base at St Laurence’s Primary School

22

Noted