EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY 1997 - 3.00 pm

 

Present:-  Councillors Morrison (D), Clocherty, Jackson, Roach, Nimmo, Robertson (Y), Welch, Hunter and Campbell, Father T Boyle and Mr I F Milne, Church Representatives, Councillor Robertson (Y), Convener, in the Chair.

 

In attendance:-  The Assistant Chief Executive (Social and Community Development), Mr A S Grant (for the Director of Central Services), the Director of Education Services, the Director of Finance, the Director of Legal Services and the Director of Property and Technical Services.

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of  Councillor Robertson (A) and Mr G Hart.

 

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

 

240

REVENUE BUDGET 1996/97

240

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 25 February 1997 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 1996/97 as at 1 January 1997.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the report be noted; and

(b) That the Department of Education Services continue to implement economies wherever possible.

 

241

CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1996/97 - FINANCIAL POSITION

241

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 7 February 1997 by the Director of Finance on the financial position of the Capital Programme 1996/97.

NOTED

 

242

CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1996/97 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS

242

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 4 February 1997 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1996/97.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the report be noted; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Property and Technical Services to report on the reasons for the increase in professional fees in respect of the project to re-clad and re-roof the science block at Port Glasgow High School.

 

243

NURSERY VOUCHERS IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

243

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 12 February 1997 by the Director of Education Services on the implications of the nation-wide introduction of the Government's pre-school education

 initiative from August 1997 and seeking approval for the development of the pre-five service by utilising potential nursery voucher income.

It was noted that since circulation of the report, notification had been received from the Scottish Office that all Inverclyde Council pre-five establishments, including the eight children's centres run by the Department of Education Services, will have automatic admission to the voucher scheme.

DECIDED: 

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That support be given to a local publicity strategy which will include the publication of an information leaflet to promote the use of existing local authority provision and maximise the uptake of any new places;

(c)  That support be given to the strategy outlined in the report to protect existing employees in local authority nurseries and that dialogue with the appropriate trade unions be continued;

(d) That it be agreed that there is a requirement for additional clerical support, essential for effective administration of the voucher system,  and  it be noted that this has been raised as an issue for consideration in the budget process;

(e)  That it be agreed that the Director of Education Services, through utilisation of potential nursery voucher income, develop the pre-five service by the enhancement of existing provision and the establishment of new provision as appropriate; and

(f)  That it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to submit a report to a future meeting of the Committee on the range of new provision developed to enhance the pre-five service within Inverclyde.

 

244

PRE-FIVE ADMISSIONS POLICY

244

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 7 February 1997 by the Director of Education Services on the results of the consultative process conducted with staff, parents, referring agencies and private and voluntary sector providers relative to a revised admissions policy for all pre-five establishments within Inverclyde.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That the proposed admissions policy for Inverclyde Council pre-five establishments and the priority bandings as set out in the report be approved subject to amendment to Band 5 by the deletion of part (b) (Any other children not yet in their pre-school year).

 

245

AN INVERCLYDE ARTS POLICY

245

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 3 February 1997 by the Director of Education Services requesting the Committee to give its agreement in principle to the adoption of an Inverclyde Arts Policy and appending a consultation document which it was proposed to circulate to a number of local organisations for comment prior to the Arts Policy being finalised.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the Committee agree in principle to adopt an Arts Policy for Inverclyde;

(b)  That the draft proposals as set out in the consultation document be approved, that this be issued to a range of organisations and groups within Inverclyde and that it also be made available to the wider general public through t the pre-five service by the enh(c)  That following the consultative process, a further draft of the proposed Arts Policy be 972>(f)  That it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to submit a report to a futur+-1>

246

AN INVERCLYDE EDUCATION RESOURCE SERVICE

246

e range of new provision developed to enhance the pre-five serviSUBMITTED:  Report dated 5 February 1997 by the Director of Education Services advising that following the Committee's decision to withdraw on 31 March 1998 from the present joint arrangem2>SUBMITTED:  Report datst Renfrewshire Councils for delivery of the Education Resource Service, a period of one year's notice of withdrawal was required and setting out the recommendations of the Working Group established to examine how best to develop such a service within Inverclyde after 31 March 1998.

DECIDED:  That the recommendations set out in the re#284,10972>(a) That the report bision of an Education Resource Service within Inverclyde after 31 March 1998.

 

247

ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL:  A REPORT  ON SELECTION WITHIN SCHOOLS BY HM INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS

247

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 12 February 1997 by the Director of Education Services on the content of "Achievement for All - A Report on Selection within Schools" prepared by HM Inspectors of Schools, setting out the key principles upon which class organisation should be based and outlining the current practice within Inverclyde schools.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the content of the report "Achievement for All" by HM Inspectors of Schools including the key principles upon which class organisation should be based, be noted; and

(b)  That the current practice within Inverclyde schools outlined in the report be endorsed as the Council's response.