EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

TUESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 1997 - 3.00 pm

 

Present:- Councillors Robertson (A), Morrison (D), Clocherty, Jackson, Robertson (Y), Mitchell, Welch, Hunter, Campbell, Father T Boyle and Rev D McAdam, 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, Mr H McNeilly (for the Director of Legal Services) and the Director of Property and Technical Services.

 

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Mr I F Milne.

 

Prior to the commencement of business, the Convener advised that confirmation had now been received from the Church of Scotland Headquarters in Edinburgh of the nomination of Rev David J McAdam of Hamilton Bardrainney Parish Church to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr George Hart.  The Convener welcomed Rev McAdam to the meeting.

 

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.

 

1323 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS                                                              1323

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 6 November 1997 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1997/98.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1997/98 be noted;  and

(b)  That the claim for loss and expense in respect of Phase 3 of the works at Port Glasgow High School estimated at £30,000 be noted.

 

1324      CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - FINANCIAL POSITION                                                          1324

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 12 November 1997 by the Director of Finance on the financial position of the Capital Programme 1997/98.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the current projected overspend of £40,000 in the Capital Programme 1997/98 be referred to the Policy and Strategy Committee; and

(b)  That the report be otherwise noted.

1325      ST NINIAN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL, GOUROCK - EXTENSION -                                                    1325

              APPROVAL TO PROCEED TO TENDER                                                                                                  

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 13 November 1997 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on proposals for extension works at St Ninian's Primary School, Gourock.

DECIDED:

(a)  That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the extension works at St Ninian's Primary School, Gourock;  and

(b)  That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tender received for the works provided that this is no more than 10% greater than the budget estimate.

 

1326      ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL, GREENOCK - REFURBISHMENT -                                       1326

              APPROVAL TO PROCEED TO TENDER                                                                                                  

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 13 November 1997 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on proposals for refurbishment works at St Joseph's Primary School, Greenock.  It was noted that the total cost of the work was estimated at £590,000 inclusive of fees but that contingency plans were being prepared to reduce the scope of the project to contain the works within the Capital Programme allowance of £490,000 in the event that Scottish Office funding of £100,000 via a Spend to Save Specific Grant is not forthcoming.  In order to reduce slippage in the Capital Programme and to carry out essential repairs as soon as possible, it was proposed to carry out two preliminary contracts, comprising concrete repairs

and replacement of the switchboard, in advance of the main contract.

DECIDED:

(a)  That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for three separate projects comprising concrete repairs, switchboard replacement and the main refurbishment works at St Joseph's Primary School, Greenock and that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tenders received for the three projects provided that these are no more than 10% greater than the budget estimates;  and

(b)  That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Education Services in consultation with the Director of Property and Technical Services and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to reduce the scope of the works to contain the costs within the Council's approved budget should the application to the Scottish Office for a Spend to Save Specific Grant of £100,000 be unsuccessful.

 

1327      EDUCATION REPROVISIONING PROGRAMME 1997/98-                                                            1327

              VARIOUS PROJECTS - APPROVAL TO PROCEED TO TENDER                                                         

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 10 November 1997 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on proposals for four projects forming part of the Education Reprovisioning Programme 1997/98 comprising (i) adaptations to reduce accommodation at St Columba's High School; Gourock; (ii) adaptations to reduce accommodation at St Stephen's High School, Port Glasgow; (iii) relocation of the Rainbow Family Centre within Holy Family Primary School, Port Glasgow; and (iv) fire upgrading works at Clune Park Primary School, Port Glasgow.

Following discussion, Councillor Mitchell moved that it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the works at Holy Family Primary School and Clune Park Primary School but that no further action be taken in relation to the proposed works at St Columba's High School and St Stephen's High School until further information regarding revenue costs and other financial implications, including a projection of likely rental income, is known.  As an amendment, Councillor Robertson (Y) moved that the four projects proceed to tender in accordance with the recommendations detailed in the report.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the motion and 6 for the amendment which was declared carried.

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

DECIDED:

(a) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of

      C      competitive tenders for the four projects comprising (i) adaptations to reduce accommodation                         

at St Columba's High School, Gourock; (ii) adaptations to reduce accommodation at St Stephen's High School, Port Glasgow; (iii) relocation of the Rainbow Family Centre within Holy Family Primary School, Port Glasgow;  and (iv) fire upgrading works at Clune Park Primary School, Port Glasgow;  and

(b) That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate  Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tenders received for the four projects provided that these are no more than 10% greater than the budget estimates.

 

1328      INVERKIP PRIMARY SCHOOL - EXTENSION, PHASE 2 -                                                           1328

              APPROVAL TO PROCEED TO TENDER                                                                                                  

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 28 November 1997 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on proposals for Phase 2 of the extension and alteration works at Inverkip Primary School.

DECIDED:

(a)  That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for Phase 2 of the works at Inverkip Primary School; and

(b)  That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tender received for the works provided that this is no more than 10% greater than the budget estimate.

 

1329      SETTING TARGETS - A STRATEGY TO RAISE STANDARDS                                                       1329

 

SUBMITTED:  Report by the Director of Education Services summarising a paper produced by the Minister of Education's Task Force on Primary Standards entitled "Setting Targets - A Strategy to Raise Standards" and setting out his Department's proposed response.

NOTED

1330      IMPROVING MATHEMATICS EDUCATION 5-14 IN INVERCLYDE                                            1330

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 17 November 1997 by the Director of Education Services on the contents and recommendations of the Scottish Office report "Improving Mathematics Education 5-14" which examines the way in which the Guidelines for Mathematics 5-14 are being implemented, with particular focus on learning, teaching and the attainment of pupils in Scotland in relation to other countries.  The report advised of the work which had been carried out to date and the action proposed by the Department of Education Services to improve further mathematics education for children within Inverclyde.

DECIDED:  That the proposals set out in the report be approved.

 

1331      INVERCLYDE COMMUNITY EDUCATION SERVICE PLAN                                                        1331

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 11 November 1997 by the Director of Education Services appending the Community Education Service Plan for Inverclyde and requesting the Committee to approve its contents.

DECIDED:  That the Committee note and approve the contents of the Inverclyde Community Education Service Plan.

 

1332      LAUNCH OF INVERCLYDE EARLY YEARS FORUM                                                                    1332

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 11 November 1997 by the Director of Education Services advising of the successful launch on 11 November 1997 of the newly formed Inverclyde Early Years Forum.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the establishment of the Inverclyde Early Years Forum be noted and its statement of principles which will inform its future programme of activities in relation to early years services be endorsed; and

(b)  That it be noted that the Director of Education Services will report to a future meeting of the Committee on the progress of the Inverclyde Early Years Forum.

 

1333      PUPILS WITH SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND/OR BEHAVIOURAL DIFFICULTIES                       1333

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 12 November 1997 by the Director of Education Services on the existing provision within Inverclyde for pupils who have significant social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, setting out proposals for a curriculum and recommending that consultations be undertaken with interested parties with a view to establishing the most appropriate provision for such pupils within Inverclyde.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the recommendations set out in the report and its appendix be approved;  and

(b)  That it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to undertake a full consultative exercise with interested parties regarding the establishment of provision within Inverclyde for pupils with significant social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.