Education Services Committee

Tuesday 4 April 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Calvert, Campbell, McCabe, Mitchell, Morrison (D), Robertson (A), Robertson (Y), Father T Boyle and Rev 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, Miss L Brabender (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Mr A Puckrin (for Director of Resource Services) and Head of Property Services.

Apologies:  Councillors McGhee, Moody and Mulholland.

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

The Convener welcomed senior pupils from each of the secondary schools within Inverclyde to the meeting, which he hoped they would find both interesting and informative.  He indicated that he had been very impressed with the contributions made by the pupils at the discussion session held earlier in the day and at the question and answer session held on 3 April.  He also thanked Mr J McCallum, Head Teacher of Wellington Academy and his staff for making the necessary arrangements to enable the Committee to be held within the school.

299

Drugs Education in Inverclyde Schools

299

There was submitted a report dated 23 March 2000 by the Director of Education Services (1) on the aims of drugs education within Inverclyde schools and (2) advising of the curricular content and resources available to assist in the teaching of drugs education in both the primary and secondary sectors.

Decided:  that the Committee endorse the approaches to drugs education outlined in the report and commend the work already being carried out within schools in this connection.

300

Strategies for Consultation with Young People

300

There was submitted a report dated 24 March 2000 by the Director of Education Services (1) on the procedures in place within schools for consulting with young people and (2) making recommendations for developing further consultative strategies.

Decided:

(1)  that the report be noted;  and

(2)  that it be noted that the Director of Education Services will report to the Committee on any future developments in this regard.

301

Developments in Careers Provision for Young People in Inverclyde Schools

301

There was submitted a report dated 23 March 2000 by the Director of Education Services advising that following a recent review of careers provision for young people undertaken by Renfrewshire Careers Partnership, the Careers Service and the Council’s Education Services were considering a range of recommendations arising from the review process and that, following further consultation with Head Teachers, it was proposed that a Menu of Careers Service Provision encompassing the specific recommendations made be extended across all Inverclyde schools.

Decided:

(1)   that the outcome of the recent reviews of the work of the Careers Service in schools be noted;  and

(2)   that the proposed Menu of Careers Service Provision to be negotiated between Renfrewshire Careers Partnership and Inverclyde Schools be noted.

302

Celebrating the Millennium - Events for Young People

302

There was submitted a report dated 23 March 2000 by the Director of Education Services (1) on the Millennium Events organised by Education Services and (2) advising of a proposed visit to the Millennium Dome to present Inverclyde’s “Our Town’s Story”.

Noted

303

Bursary Policy for School Session 2000/2001

303

There was submitted a report dated 24 March 2000 by the Director of Education Services appending the Inverclyde Council Guide to Higher School Bursaries Policy Document which it was recommended be adopted as the Council’s policy on bursaries for school session 2000/2001.

Decided:

(1)  that the Inverclyde Council Guide to Higher School Bursaries Policy Document as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be adopted as the Council’s policy on bursaries for school session 2000/2001;  and

(2) that the maximum allowance rate for academic session 2000/2001 be increased by 2.5% from £15.36 per week to £15.74 per week.

304

School Holiday Arrangements 2001/2002

304

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services requesting the Committee to approve arrangements for school holidays for session 2001/2002.

Decided:  that the school holiday arrangements for 2001/2002  as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

305

School Attendance within Inverclyde 1998/99

305

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) on school attendance rates within Inverclyde during 1998/99, (2) advising of the difficulties in using comparative figures in assessing attendance and (3) setting out the initiatives in use within schools in Inverclyde with a view to improving attendance levels.

Decided:  that the contents of the report and the action being taken to improve attendance within Inverclyde schools be noted.

306

Funding for Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) Projects

306

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services recommending the development of funding packages for Ladybird Pre-5 Centre and Tree Tops Community Nursery which will assist in meeting the shortfalls identified in both projects as a result of the one third decrease in their Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) funding over each of the next three financial years.

Decided:

(1)   that it be agreed to provide funding of £72,696 in 2000/2001 to Ladybird Pre-5 Centre comprising £27,000 SEED Child Care Strategy funding, £16,000 Sure Start funding and £29,696 pre-school education grant;

(2)   that it be agreed to provide funding of £66,984 in 2000/2001 to Tree Tops Community Nursery comprising £25,000 SEED Child Care Strategy funding, £16,000 Sure Start funding and £25,984 pre-school education grant;  and

(3)   that it be noted that the Director of Education Services will submit a further report later in the financial year on the progress being made by both projects to address the funding shortfall in 2001/02 and beyond.

307

Appointment to Committee:  Person Interested in the Promotion of Religious Education

307

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising that following  public advertisement relative to the appointment to the Committee of a third person interested in the promotion of religious education in terms of Section 31 of the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, one response had been received, being from Rev Colum McGranaghan, Priest in Charge, St Fillan’s Church, Kilmacolm.

Decided:  that Rev Colum McGranaghan be appointed to serve on the Education Services Committee.

308

Education Services - Service Plan 2000/2001

308

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services appending the Education Services - Service Plan 2000/2001 which sets out the key priorities for the forthcoming year.

Decided:

(1)   that the contents of the Service Plan 2000/2001 be noted;

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to report on the position regarding religious and moral education within schools in Inverclyde;  and

(3)   that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to report on gender issues and in particular differences in attainment between male and female pupils.

Councillor Morrison (D) left the meeting following consideration of this item of business.

309

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Technical Progress

309

There was submitted a report dated 10 March 2000 by the Director of Education Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Decided:

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

(2)   that the accumulated variations in Phase 5 of the works at Port Glasgow High School which are 10.6% (£114,494) greater than the accepted tender amount be approved in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations.

310

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Financial Position

310

There was submitted a report dated 20 March 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Noted

311

School Security Update

311

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) providing an update on progress in respect of the installation of security systems within schools and (2) seeking approval to proceed to tender for the remaining security projects as detailed in the report.

Decided:

(1)   that the progress made in introducing security measures within Inverclyde schools and pre-five establishments and the plan to complete all establishments during the course of 2000/2001 be noted;

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Legal and Support Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation of tenders for school security works as detailed in the report;  and

(3)   that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received up to a value of £200,000 including fees.

312

Port Glasgow High School - Remedial Works to Prevent Water Ingress

312

There was submitted a report dated 16 March 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of the results of further investigations into water ingress problems at Port Glasgow High School and (2) setting out proposals for remedial works at an estimated cost of £43,000 to be considered as part of the Corporate Business Major Repairs Programme.

Decided:

(1)   that the report be noted;  and

(2)   that it be noted that the remedial works required to eliminate the water ingress problems at Port Glasgow High School will be considered as part of the Corporate Business Major Repairs Programme.

313

Glenburn School - Bridge on Access Road

313

There was submitted a report dated 20 March 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive advising that, following inspection and assessment as part of the Council’s bridge assessment programme, the bridge on the access road to Glenburn School had been found to be unsuitable to carry two way traffic without remedial work being carried out.  It was noted that the bridge had been restricted to a single carriageway by means of temporary traffic management measures and that the appointment of the Consultant, W A Fairhurst, had been extended to include the preparation of a report on the most appropriate course of remedial action, including budget estimates, which would be the subject of a further report to the Committee.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the action taken to date in the interests of public safety;  and

(2)   that the Committee note the extension of the Consultant’s appointment to include the preparation of a report on the most appropriate course of remedial action, including budget estimates, which will be the subject of a further report to the Committee.

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 12 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

314

Balrossie School - Unpaid Contributions

314

There was submitted a report dated 2 March 2000 (1) on the current position regarding unpaid contributions from several other local authorities towards the running costs of Balrossie School for the period April 1996 to January 1998 when the school had been closed and (2) advising of legal advice received in this regard.

Decided:  that the accounts totalling £61,437.23 be written off.