Education Services Committee

Tuesday, 10 October 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Jackson, McGraw, Moody, Morrison (D), O’Rourke, Robertson (A), Robertson (Y), Father T Boyle, Church Representative and Mrs P Purdie, Parent Representative.

Chair:  Councillor Robertson (A) presided. 

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

Apologies:  Councillors Calvert, Campbell, McCabe, Mitchell, Mr D Anderson and Rev C McGranaghan.

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

883

Prior to commencement of business the Convener welcomed to the meeting Councillor Allan McGraw the newly elected Councillor for Ward 13 who had been appointed to serve on the Education Services Committee.

883

884

Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 6

884

There was submitted a report dated 4 October 2000 by the Director of Resource Services (1) on the position of the Revenue Budget 2000/2001 as at Period 6 (20 September 2000) and (2) advising that the Budget showed a projected overspend of £399,000, an increase of £121,000 since the last report to the Committee.  It was noted that the Policy & Strategy Committee at its meeting on 21 September 2000 had agreed that the Corporate Management Team should consider all issues in relation to revenue items prior to presenting them to the appropriate Service Committee and that accordingly, the report by the Director of Education Services on the projected overspend would be submitted to the next meeting of the Education Services Committee.  (Councillor Morrison (D) entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided: that the position of the Revenue Budget as at Period 6 and the projected overspend be noted.

885

Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Technical Progress

885

There was submitted a report dated 18 September 2000 by the Director of Education Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Noted

886

Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Financial Position

886

There was submitted a report dated 27 September 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 2000/2001.  The report advised that the latest estimated total cost of projects in the Capital Programme was £4,162,000 which was £110,000 more than the estimated total project cost of £3,710,000 approved by the Policy & Strategy Committee in March 2000 (as adjusted for the transfer of the New Deal IT equipment project to the Corporate Business Committee) together with the costs to be charged against the Education Revenue Budget.  It was noted that the Policy & Strategy Committee at its meeting on 21 September 2000 had remitted it to the Chief Executive to submit a report to its next meeting on measures to contain the overall Non-HRA Capital Programme in 2000/2001 and that accordingly the report requested by the Education Services Committee at its last meeting would be deferred until the Policy & Strategy Committee had considered the matter.

Decided:

(1) that it be noted that the Chief Executive will report to the Policy & Strategy Committee on the overall position of the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001; and

(2) that the report be otherwise noted.

887

SQA Examination Results 1999/2000

887

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) providing detailed information on the problems encountered by schools within Inverclyde during the 1999/2000 National Examinations managed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and (2) outlining the action taken by Education Services in this regard.  (Councillor O’Rourke entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that it be noted that a further report will be submitted once the findings of the Schools Examination Results Inquiry by the Scottish Executive have been published.

888

Provision of Music to Pupils in Inverclyde Schools

888

There was submitted a report dated 27 September 2000 by the Director of Education Services (1) on the various developments which have taken place in relation to the provision of music to pupils within Inverclyde schools and (2) making recommendations to support future developments in this area.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the success which has been achieved in establishing a very wide range of musical activities for pupils in Inverclyde schools and also the very high quality and standard of performance achieved;

(2) that the structure outlined in the report for the further support and development of musical activities for pupils in Inverclyde schools be agreed;

(3)  that the rate payable to qualified GTC registered teaching staff working outwith school hours to provide instrumental instruction be the Supported Study rate and that other rates be determined according to the level of qualification;

(4) that where the concert band, choir or orchestra represents Inverclyde at events outwith normal school hours, the staff who lead these groups be eligible for payment at the appropriate rate for travel, rehearsal and performance time up to a maximum number of hours equivalent to a normal working day on any given day;

(5) that the Director of Education Services be given discretion to respond exceptionally where it is agreed that activities imposing exceptional demands on essential specialist staff be undertaken; and

(6) that the Committee note that out of school hours musical activities may be supported by Excellence Fund money granted in relation to Supported Study.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Education Services was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Committee, if in agreement, to submit a bid to the Scottish Executive by

20 October 2000.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

889

Support for the Cost of Developing a Public Private Partnership Project for School Buildings : Scottish Executive Circular 3/2000

889

There was submitted a report dated 9 October 2000 by the Director of Education Services seeking approval for the submission of a bid to the Scottish Executive under Circular 3/2000 (Support for the Costs of Developing Public Private Partnership Projects for School Buildings) which required to be made by 20 October 2000.

It was noted that the report had been considered by the Education Services: Managing Accommodation Working Group earlier in the day and the Working Group had approved its submission to the Committee.

Following discussion, Councillor Robertson (A) moved (1) that the report be noted and (2) that approval be given to the submission of a bid to the Scottish Executive as outlined in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the report.  As an amendment, Councillor Moody moved that no bid be made.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 7 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that approval be given to the submission of a bid to the Scottish Executive as outlined in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the report.