Education Services Committee

Tuesday 7 August 2001 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Campbell, McCabe, McGraw, Mitchell, Morrison (D), O’Rourke, Robertson (A), Robertson (Y), Father T Boyle, Rev J Miller and Rev C McGranaghan, Church Representatives, 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), Miss J McAnerney (for Head of Accountancy Services) and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

Apologies:  Provost Roach and Councillor Calvert.

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

606

Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 3

606

There was submitted a report dated 18 July 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2001/02 as at Period 3 (27 June 2001).  (Councillor Robertson (Y) entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Noted

607

Capital Programme 2001/02 - Technical Progress

607

There was submitted a report dated 17 July 2001 by the Director of Education Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2001/02.

Noted

608

Capital Programme 2001/02-2003/04 - Financial Position

608

There was submitted a report dated 18 July 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 2001/02-2003/04.

Noted

609

Gourock High School Window Replacement:  Phase 4 -

Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

609

There was submitted a report dated 18 July 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to approve (1) the transfer of £12,000 from the St Columba's High School budget to the Gourock High School budget and (2) the transfer of £12,000 from the School Security budget to the Gourock High School budget, resulting in the latest approved estimate of £74,000 for the Gourock High School Window Replacement PhaseÆ 4 project.

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

Noted

610

Gourock Primary School - Extension of Perimeter Fence to Football Park Area -

Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

610

There was submitted a report dated July 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) for the issuing of tender documents for the extension of the perimeter fence at Gourock Primary School.

Noted

611

Adaptations:  Blairmore Nursery -

Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

611

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to authorise the acceptance of the lowest tender received for the alteration works at Blairmore Nursery.

Noted

612

Allocation of Child Care Strategy and Sure Start Funding -

Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

612

There was submitted a report dated 19 July 2001 by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to allocate Child Care Strategy and Sure Start Funding to Ladybirds Pre-Five Centre and Treetops Community Nursery.

Noted

613

Service Plan 2001/2002

613

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services appending the Education Services - Service Plan 2001/2002 which sets out the key priorities for the forthcoming year.

Noted

614

Excellence Fund for Schools 2001/2002

614

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services providing an update on the allocation of the Excellence Fund for schools in 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the additional money for schools made available by the Government through the Excellence Fund 2001/2002, totalling £2,828,338;

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to submit a report to a future meeting on the use of the additional resources;

(3)   that approval be given to use the available funding for the provision of a multi-gym in Wellington Academy, at an estimated cost of £166,000;

(4)   that authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to invite tenders for the provision of a multi-gym in Wellington Academy;  and

(5)  that delegated authority be granted to accept the lowest tender in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts and the Financial Regulations.

615

Pre-Budget Statement - Additional Financial Resources for Schools

615

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services providing details on the use of additional financial resources made available to local authorities as set out in the Scottish Executive Education Department Circular 5-2000.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the use of the additional financial resources made available to schools as set out in Circular 5-2000;  and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to submit copies of the report to the School Board and the Scottish Executive as part of the reporting condition for payment of the grant.

616

Proposed Learning Centre in St Stephen's High School

616

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on a proposal to seek European Objective 2/3 Funding for the creation of a Learning Centre in St Stephen's High School and requesting approval to pursue the necessary funding in collaboration with the Learning Business Partnership.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee approve the collaboration of Education Services with the Learning Business Partnership in the development of its bid for European funding to support the establishment of a Learning Centre in St Stephen's High School;  and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to report to a future meeting on the progress of the bid, before submission.

617

Response to Consultation on Draft National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare

617

There was submitted a report dated 19 July 2001 by the Director of Education Services advising of the publication of a consultation paper on Draft National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare and seeking approval of the document.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the response to the Draft National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare, as outlined in the report.

618

Education and Health Policy

618

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking approval for the adoption and publication of an Education Services, Education & Health Policy and the sub-policy on Oral & Dental Health and Eating for Health.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee approve the adoption and publication of the Education & Health Policy and the sub-policy on Oral & Dental Health and Eating for Health;  and

(2)   that further sub-policies covering specific areas of health promotion be submitted to future meetings for approval.

619

Extended Pre-School Entitlement for Deferred Children

619

There was submitted a report dated 16 July 2001 by the Director of Education Services advising of an extended entitlement to pre-school education for the very youngest children, those with January and February birthdays, whose parents defer their entry to primary school.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the extended provision of pre-school education entitlement for deferred children from August 2002;

(2)   that approval be given to the Director of Education Services to amend the Admission Policy;  and

(3)   that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to publish the change in entitlement for parents' information.

620

Child Poverty Package - Additional Resources for Out-of-School Care

620

There was submitted a report dated 19 July 2001 by the Director of Education Services advising of additional resources available for Out-of-School Care Services to help reduce child poverty and support parental employment in disadvantaged areas of Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the allocation of additional funding for out-of-school care in Inverclyde;

(2)   that the actions to be taken to identify and support out-of-school care providers which meet the Scottish Executive's criteria for this funding be approved;  and

(3)   that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to submit a report to a future meeting on the allocation of the funding.

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 to consider the funding issues in relation to the two childcare SIP Projects in Inverclyde at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

621

Childcare Projects - Funding Issues

621

There was submitted a report dated 2 August 2001 by the Director of Education Services requesting that the Committee consider the funding issues in relation to the two childcare SIP Projects in Inverclyde, Ladybirds and Tree Tops, consideration of which was continued from the May meeting (para 432), when it was remitted to the Convener, Vice Convener and Leader of the Council to meet with the appropriate Officers to consider possible ways of meeting the funding shortfall in the two projects.  The report advised that there was a current shortfall in funding of £201,930 in the current year.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the outcome of the review of service provision at Ladybirds Pre-five Centre and Tree Tops Community Nursery;

(2)   that the contribution of these services to meeting the Council's aims of social inclusion and economic regeneration be recognised;

(3)   that the matter be referred to the Policy & Strategy Committee for consideration, to identify additional funding of £201,930 in the current financial year to meet the shortfall in funding;

(4)   that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to carry out a review of childcare provision in Inverclyde and in particular to appraise the place of these two projects within the overall early years' services and thereafter that a report be submitted on the review at the earliest opportunity;  and

(5)   that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to make representations to the Scottish Executive with regard to the future provision of additional funding for the community nurseries.