Education Services Committee

Tuesday 11 January 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Calvert, Campbell, Jackson, McCabe, McGhee, Mitchell, Moody, Morrison (D), Robertson (A), Robertson (Y), Father T Boyle and Reverend D McAdam, Church Representatives, Mrs P Purdie, Parent Representative, and Mr D Anderson, Teacher Representative.

Chair:  Councillor Robertson (A) presided. 

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

Apologies:  Councillor Mulholland.

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

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Depute Chief Executive relative to works at Port Glasgow High School was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the ongoing water ingress problems at the school.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

  18

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Technical Progress

18

There was submitted a report dated 13 December 1999 by the Director of Education Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000 together with report dated January 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of ongoing water ingress problems at Port Glasgow High School.

Decided:

(1)   that the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000 be noted;  and

(2)   that the current position with regard to the ongoing water ingress problems at Port Glasgow High School be noted and that it be remitted to the Head of Property Services to report as a matter of priority on the proposed long-term solution to ensure that the building is wind and watertight.

  19

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Financial Position

19

There was submitted a report dated 23 December 1999 by the Director of Resource Services (1) on the financial position of the Capital Programme 1999/2000 and (2) advising that the latest total estimated cost of projects in the Committee's Capital Programme was £59,000 more than the estimated total project costs of £5,256,000 approved by the Policy and Strategy Committee in April 1999.

Decided:

(1)   that the current position of the Capital Programme 1999/2000 be noted;  and

(2)   that a decision on whether to request the Policy and Strategy Committee to provide a supplementary capital budget to cover any projected overspend be continued to the next meeting of the Committee.

  20

National Grid for Learning - Renewal of Ceilings at St Columba's High School - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

20

There was submitted a report dated December 1999 by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to authorise the issuing of tender documents for reinstatement of the suspended ceiling and lighting installations at St Columba's High School to be funded by National Grid for Learning grant from the Scottish Executive.

Noted

  21

Launch of Inverclyde Child Care Information Service

21

There was submitted a report dated 16 December 1999 by the Director of Education Services (1) on the progress made in the development of a Child Care Information Service for Inverclyde, (2) advising that the Scottish Executive had now announced the launch of the national Child Care Information Service on Monday 24 January and (3) outlining proposals for the launch of the local Information Service.

The Head of Pre-Five and Children's Services orally advised the Committee that it was now proposed that the local launch of the Inverclyde Child Care Information Service take place on the morning of Tuesday 25 January 2000.

Decided:

(1)   that the launch of the national Child Care Information Service on 24 January 2000 be noted;  and

(2)   that the launch of the Inverclyde Child Care Information Service take place on 25 January 2000 on the basis outlined in the report.

  22

Inverclyde School Board Biennial Election Results

22

There was submitted a report dated 15 December 1999 by the Director of Education Services on the results of the recent School Board biennial elections organised by Education Services.

Decided:

(1)   that the successful outcome of the election process with all eligible schools in Inverclyde now having a School Board be noted;  and

(2)   that the arrangements made by Education Services to offer continued support and training to School Board members be noted.

  23

Transport Facilities for School Sessions 2000/2001, 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 for Children with Special and/or Medical Needs

23

There was submitted an amended report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of the expiry of the current contract arrangements for the provision of special needs and medical transport for children attending Inverclyde schools and establishments and for those children placed in schools and establishments outwith Inverclyde by Inverclyde Council and (2) seeking approval to refer the matter to the Corporate Business Committee for authority to invite tenders for the three school year period August 2000 to June 2003.

Decided:  that it be agreed in terms of the Council's Standing Orders relating to Contracts that an open tendering procedure be adopted for the contracts to provide transport facilities for children with special and/or medical needs for school sessions 2000/2001-2002/2003 and that the matter be referred to the Corporate Business Committee for approval.

  24

Scottish Executive Child Care and Pre-School Education Funding

24

There was submitted a report dated 15 December 1999 by the Director of Education Services advising (1) that notification had been received from the Scottish Executive that Inverclyde Council's allocation of Child Care Strategy and Sure Start Initiative funding for 2000/2001 had been set at £175,000 and £259,000 respectively and (2) that additional pre-school education development funding of £51,879 had been released to the Council for expenditure in 1999/2000 to assist in the development of new places for 3-year-olds by the local authority or with partner providers.

Decided:

(1)   that the allocation of Child Care Strategy and Sure Start Inititiative funding for 2000/2001 and the allocation of an additional element of pre-school education development grant for 1999/2000 be noted;  and

(2)   that it be noted that the Director of Education Services will report to a future meeting of the Committee on specific plans for child care and pre-school education developments within Inverclyde.

  25

Provision of Pre-School Education Places

25

There was submitted a report dated 23 December 1999 by the Director of Education Services on development proposals for the provision of additional pre-school education places to achieve the Council's targets for 4 and 3-year-olds by session 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1)   that it be noted that the service developments outlined in the report are required to meet the Government's target of pre-school education places for eligible 4 and 3-year-olds by August 2001;  and

(2)   that the specific proposals detailed at paragraph 3.2 of the report be approved and that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to report to a future meeting on progress towards the achievement of these new services and the financial implications.

  26

Glenbrae Children's Centre - Temporary Closure

26

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of (1) two incidents of flooding at Glenbrae Children's Centre, (2) the arrangements put in place for the temporary relocation of the Centre following the second incident on 30 November 1999, and (3) the financial implications in this regard.

Decided:

(1)   that the emergency arrangements put in place to relocate Glenbrae Children's Centre temporarily in St Lawrence's Primary School while remedial works are undertaken following the flooding at the Centre be noted;

(2)   that the financial implications of the flooding incidents in terms of costs and insurance claims be noted;  and

(3)   that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee on the situation at Glenbrae Children's Centre.

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 paragraphs 6 and 8 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

  27

Ardgowan Primary School, Modular Building - Report on Tenders

27

There was submitted a report dated December 1999 by the Director of Education Services on five tenders received for the construction of a new modular classroom unit and demolition of the existing hutment units at Ardgowan Primary School.

Following discussion, Councillor Mitchell moved that planning permission be sought for the development.  As an amendment, Councillor Robertson (A) moved that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the lowest tender, that by G D Chalmers Ltd in the amount after savings of £112,998.00 subject to planning permission for the development not being required.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the motion and 12 for the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the lowest tender, that by G D Chalmers Ltd in the amount after savings of £112,998.00 subject to planning permission for the development not being required.