Education Services Committee

Tuesday 15 May 2001 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Calvert, Campbell, Jackson, McCabe, Mitchell, Morrison (D), O’Rourke and Robertson (A), Father T Boyle, Church Representative, 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), Ms J McAnerney (for Head of Accountancy Services) and Head of Property Services.

Apologies:  Councillors McGraw and Robertson (Y) and Rev Miller.

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

429

Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Technical Progress

429

There was submitted a report dated 24 April 2001 by the Director of Education Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2001/2002.

Noted

430

Capital Programme 2001/2002 - 2003/2004 - Financial Position

430

There was submitted a report dated 4 May 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 2001/2002 - 2003/2004.

Noted

431

The McCrone Report:  “A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century”

431

There was submitted a report dated April 2001 by the Director of Education Services (1) advising the Committee of the details of the McCrone Agreement:  “A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century” and (2) setting out the key tasks to be undertaken in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.

(Councillor Morrison (D) entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1) that the details of the McCrone Agreement be noted;  and

(2) that the key tasks to be undertaken in the implementation of the Agreement be noted.

432

Inverclyde Pre-school Education and Child Care Plan 2001/2002

432

There was submitted a report dated 1 May 2001 by the Director of Education Services seeking approval of the draft Inverclyde Pre-school Education and Child Care Plan 2001/2002 which was appended to the report.

Decided:

(1) that the Inverclyde Pre-school Education and Child Care Plan 2001/2002 appended to the report be approved;

(2) that it be noted that the Director of Education Services will report to a future meeting of the Committee on the financial implications of the Plan;  and

(3) that it be remitted to the Convener and Vice-Convener and the Leader of the Council to meet with the appropriate Officers to consider possible ways of meeting the funding shortfall in the two social inclusion partnership projects, Ladybirds and Treetops, and to report thereon to the Committee.

(Mr D Anderson left the meeting following consideration of this item of business).

433

HM Inspectors of Schools/Social Work Services Report - Learning With Care

433

There was submitted a report by the Directors of Education Services and Social Work and Housing Services advising of the recommendations arising from the recent report “Learning with Care” published jointly by HM Inspectors of Schools and the Social Work Services Inspectorate.  The report provided details of the work already undertaken by the Authority with regard to looked after children and also the work which would require to be undertaken in the future by both Services to meet the recommendations in the report.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted;

(2) that it be noted that the Authority has an action plan in place to respond to the recommendations contained in the report “Learning with Care”;

(3) that a report be submitted to the Committee once the various targets set out in the Appendix have been met;  and

(4) that it be noted that in line with the recommendations, an annual report will be submitted to both the Education and Social Work and Housing Committees.

434

Inverclyde Education Services Child Protection Guidance

434

There was submitted a report dated 26 April 2001 by the Director of Education Services (1) advising the Committee of the production of the Inverclyde Education Services guidance for staff on child protection issues and (2) detailing the action taken to disseminate this information.

Decided:

(1) that it be noted that the Director of Education Services has produced revised guidance on child protection for all Education Services staff ;  and

(2) that the action being taken to ensure a wide dissemination of the child protection guidance be noted.

435

Scheme of Arrangements for School Board Elections

435

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of amendments to the Scheme of Arrangements for School Board Elections as they relate to the requirement to hold a by-election to fill parental vacancies on a School Board, made by the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000 and (2) seeking approval of an amended Scheme of Arrangements.

(Councillor Mitchell left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the changes in respect of School Board Elections as a result of the implementation of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000;  and

(2) that the amended Scheme of Arrangements for School Board Elections as set out in the Appendix to the report be approved.

436

Bursary Policy for School Session 2001/2002

436

There was submitted a report dated 11 April 2001 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 2001/2002.

Decided:  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 2001/2002.

437

SQA Procedures:  2001 Diet

437

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the measures being taken by Education Services, the SQA and the Scottish Executive to ensure the effective administration of the 2001 diet of examinations.

Noted

438

Inverclyde Parents’ Week:  12-16 March 2001

438

There was submitted a report dated 4 May 2001 by the Director of Education Services advising the Committee of the successful organisation and outcome of a week of parents’ events organised by Education Services on the theme “Supporting your Child’s Learning”.

Noted

439

Active Primary School Programme

439

There was submitted a report dated 4 May 2001 by the Director of Education Services advising that Sportscotland had awarded Education Services a further £84,000 to allow the appointment of a second active primary schools co-ordinator for the next three years which increased the funding from Sportscotland for the project to a total of £159,000 over three years.  The report further indicated that the co-ordinators would work within the primary schools associated with Greenock and St Columb¿a’s High Schools and would complement the newly implemented sports and physical activity structures within these clusters.

Decided:  that the Committee note the report and the continuing work being undertaken by Education Services to promote and develop active lifestyles for children within Inverclyde.

440

New Opportunities Fund Award

440

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising that the New Opportunities Fund had awarded Education Services a grant of £230,190 for a 3 year period to extend the current provision of after school learning activities within 14 schools across Inverclyde.  It was noted that a further bid for £258,000 was still being considered by the Fund and that the outcome of this application would be known in July 2001.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the granting of the award by the New Opportunities Fund to Education Services;  and

(2) that it be noted that a second bid for funding has been submitted to the Fund and that the outcome of this bid will be known in July 2001.

441

Early Intervention Progress Report

441

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on the progress of the early intervention strategies implemented to improve the attainment of P1 and P2 pupils in literacy and numeracy.

Decided:

(1) that the successful outcomes achieved as a result of the early intervention strategy be noted;

(2) that it be noted that the further developments outlined in the report will be progressed by the Director of Education Services and his staff;  and

(3) that the Committee extend its congratulations to the staff involved in achieving the results reported.

442

Inverclyde School Leaver Destinations 1999/2000

442

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on the destination of leavers from mainstream and special schools/education units in 1999/2000.

Noted

443

The Learning Business Partnership (formerly Renfrewshire Education Business Partnership)

443

There was submitted a report dated 8 May 2001 by the Director of Education Services (1) informing the Committee of the work of the Learning Business Partnership within Inverclyde schools over the last six years and (2) seeking approval for an increase of 2.5% in Inverclyde Council’s contribution to the Partnership for the year 2001/02 to cover cost increases due to inflation.

Decided:  that approval be given to an increase of 2.5% in the contribution of Inverclyde Council to the Learning Business Partnership for 2001/02 which has the effect of increasing the contribution from £24,000 to £24,600.

444

Education Capital Programme 2001/2003

444

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) on proposals for the Education Capital Programme for 2001/2002 and (2) advising of the progress of projects during 1999/2000.

Decided:

(1) that the present position of the Education Capital Programme following the decision of the Policy and Strategy Committee at its meeting on 15 March 2001 (para 263) be noted;

(2) that the progress of projects during 2000/2001 be noted;

(3) that approval be given to proceed with the projects comprising (a) playground resurfacing works at Ardgowan Primary School, Greenock and (b) improvements to the changing facilities at Lilybank School, Port Glasgow and 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 the works;

(4) that approval be given to proceed with the new projects as set out in Section 4 of the report, viz (a) school security works, (b) Greenock High School/Glenburn Bridge, (c) Overton Primary School ground stabilisation works, (d) Gourock High School window replacement, phase 4, (e) St Columba’s High School roof repairs (continuing works), (f) Greenock Academy roof repairs, (g) St Joseph’s Primary School window replacement, (h) St Michael’s Primary School roof repairs, (i) Barmoss Nursery roof repairs, (j) Ravenscraig Primary School roof repairs, (k) St Stephen’s High School - contribution to disabled access;

(5) 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 the projects detailed at (4) above with the exception of the Barmoss Nursery roof repairs and that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest tenders for the projects in accordance with the provisions of the  Standing Orders relating to Contracts and the Financial Regulations;  and

(6) that in respect of  the Barmoss Nursery roof repairs project, authorisation be given to enter into negotiations with the contractor engaged to carry out the Aileymill Nursery roof repairs with a view to agreeing a price for the works on the basis set out in the report but should these negotiations not be successful, 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 the works and for acceptance of the lowest tender in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders relating to Contracts and the Financial Regulations.

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 during consideration of the following items of business 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 7A of the Act.

445

Transport Facilities for School Sessions 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 for Certain Children with Special Needs

445

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on proposals to invite tenders for the provision of transport facilities for school sessions 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 for certain children with special needs.

Councillor O’Rourke declared an interest in this item and took no part in its consideration or decision.

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to invite tenders from the companies detailed in the report;  and (2) that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to award the contract to the lowest acceptable tenderer in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders relating to Contracts and the Financial Regulations.

446

Transport Facilities for Certain Children with Special and/or Medical Needs

446

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising that two providers of specialised transport capable of conveying wheelchair borne passengers had requested that the cost of transport be raised and (2) seeking authority to pay the increased costs.

Councillor O’Rourke declared an interest in this item and took no part in its consideration or decision.

Decided:  that approval be given to pay the increased costs as detailed in the report for the duration of the contracts.

447

School Transport 2001/2002

447

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) providing details of the tenders for school transport contracts due for renewal in session 2001/2002 received by Strathclyde Passenger Transport and (2) requesting that approval be given for the Director of Education Services to accept Strathclyde Passenger Transport’s recommendations.

Decided:

(1) that the details of the tenders received for school transport contracts for session 2001/2002 be noted;  and

(2) that authority be granted to the Director of Education Services to accept the recommendations of Strathclyde Passenger Transport as set out in Appendix A of the report.