EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE

TUESDAY 23 NOVEMBER 1999 - 3 pm

 

Present:-  Councillors Calvert, Robertson (A), Morrison (D), McCabe, McGhee, Robertson (Y), Mitchell and Campbell, Rev D McAdam, Church Representative, Mrs P Purdie, Parent Representative and Mr D Anderson, Teacher Representative, Councillor Robertson (A), Convener, in the Chair.

 

In attendance:-  The Director of Education Services, the Director of Central Services, Mr A Puckrin (for the Director of Resource Services), Mr H McNeilly (for the Director of Legal and Support Services) and the Head of Property Services.

 

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor Moody.

 

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

 

1141      REVENUE BUDGET 1999/2000 - MONITORING REPORT                                                              1141

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 9 November 1999 by the Director of Resource Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 1999/2000 as at 13 October 1999.  The report advised that the overall position of the Revenue Budget showed a projected overspend of £7,510, which represented a decrease of £60,490 since the last report to the Committee.  The £7,510 overspend included a provision of £144,000 in respect of costs associated with the emergency decanting at St Mary’s Primary School and also allowed the £54,000 unallocated savings to be eliminated on a permanent basis.

DECIDED:  That the improved position of the Revenue Budget 1999/2000 be noted.

 

1142      CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS                                                    1142

 

SUBMITTED:  Amended report dated 29 October 1999 by the Director of Education Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000 be noted;  and

(b)  That the Committee approve the following expenditure increase and reduction in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations:-

 

Project                                                                                                Effect on Expenditure

 

Gourock Primary School

Upgrading of drainage system                                                              £12,200 increase

Deletion of tiered seating in audio visual room                                       £  6,250 reduction

 

1143      CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - FINANCIAL POSITION                                                      1143

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 8 November 1999 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

The Head of Professional Services advised the Committee that the latest total estimated cost of projects in the Capital Programme was £12,000 more than the estimated total project costs approved by the Policy and Strategy Committee in April 1999.

NOTED

 

1144      ARDGOWAN SCHOOL HUTMENTS - REQUEST FROM COUNCILLOR MITCHELL                1144

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 5 November 1999 by the Director of Legal and Support Services on a request received from Councillor Mitchell that the Committee consider the phasing out of the hutments at Ardgowan School and the preparation of a scheme showing how this would be done.

DECIDED:  That it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to report on a possible scheme for the eventual phasing out of the hutments for consideration by the Education Services:  Managing Accommodation Working Group.

 

1145      SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH VERY YOUNG CHILDREN:                                                       1145

              GRANT PROJECTS 1999/2000 - PERMISSION TO INVITE TENDERS                                                 

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated November 1999 by the Director of Education Services requesting the Committee to agree to the invitation of tenders for two improvement works projects at pre-five centres to be funded from Scottish Executive grant monies provided for the development of services for families with very young children.

DECIDED:  That authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation and acceptance of tenders for adaptations at the Bluebird Family Centre and adaptations at the Rainbow Family Centre.

 

1146      THIN CLIENT NETWORK PILOT PROJECT IN SCHOOLS                                                            1146

 

SUBMITTED:  Report by the Director of Education Services providing information on the training and support which will be provided for the Thin Client Network Pilot Project in schools agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 12 October 1999 (Para 1007).

NOTED

 

1147      UPDATE ON PROVISION OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION PLACES                                           1147

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 4 November 1999 by the Director of Education Services advising of the progress made to date with a view to achieving the Council’s targets for the provision of pre-school education places and outlining further developments required by session 2001/2002.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the Committee note the requirements for the further development of pre-school education places and that the Director of Education Services will submit a report to a future meeting of the Committee on specific plans to meet targets for future pre-school education;  and

(b)  That it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to report to the Education Services:  Managing Accommodation Working Group on the effects which the provision of pre-school education places will have on the overall school accommodation within Inverclyde.

 

1148      COMMENTS ON THE RESPONSE OF THE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE TO THE                             1148

              ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT INTO THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN                                    

              WITH SEVERE LOW INCIDENCE DISABILITIES                                                                                   

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 3 November 1999 by the Director of Education Services seeking approval of a paper forming Appendix 2 to the report which sets out comments to the response of the Scottish Executive to the recommendations produced by the Advisory Committee report into the education of children with severe low incidence disabilities.

DECIDED:  That the Committee endorse the response set out in Appendix 2 to the report for submission to the Scottish Executive.