Education Services Committee

Thursday 29 November 2001 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Campbell, Jackson, McCabe, McGraw, Morrison (D), O’Rourke and Robertson (A), Father T Boyle and Rev C McGranaghan, Church Representatives, Mrs P Purdie, Parent Representative and Mr D Anderson, Teacher Representative.

Chair:  Councillor Robertson (A) presided. 

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Messrs A Henderson, A McDonald and J Sutherland and Miss E Henderson (for Director of Education Services), Director of Finance Services, Director of Legal and Support Services, Head of Personnel Services, Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services) and Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice).

Apologies:  Councillors Calvert, Mitchell and Robertson (Y) and Rev J Miller.

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

1047

Inspection of the Education Functions of Inverclyde Council

1047

There was submitted a report dated 20 November 2001 by the Director of Education Services on the scope and purposes of the inspection of the Education functions of Inverclyde Council carried out by HM Inspectorate of Education in partnership with the Accounts Commission, detailing the processes involved and the outcome of the inspection which was officially published on 25 September 2001.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the highly successful outcome of the inspection of the Education functions of Inverclyde Council carried out by HM Inspectorate of Education and the Accounts Commission and convey its congratulations to all of the staff involved;  and

(2) that it be agreed to adopt the recommendations and main points for action contained in the published inspection report.

1048

Education Services Action Plan in Response to the Inspection of the Education Functions of Inverclyde Council

1048

There was submitted a report dated 19 November 2001 by the Director of Education Services seeking endorsement of an action plan appended to the report which had been developed by the Director of Education Services in response to the findings of HM Inspectorate of Education and the Accounts Commission in their inspection of the Education functions of Inverclyde Council.

Decided:

(1) that the action plan developed by the Director of Education Services in response to the recommendations of HM Inspectorate of Education and the Accounts Commission and set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(2) that the action plan be submitted to HM Inspectorate of Education;  and

(3) that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to report to the Committee on a regular basis on the progress of implementation of the action plan.

1049

Schools Public Private Partnership Project:  Outline Business Case

1049

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking approval for submission of the outline business case for a Schools Public Private Partnership project to the Scottish Executive together with supplementary report dated 28 November 2001 by the Director of Finance Services advising of a revision to the financial implications to take account of an error which had been made in the cost model prepared by the Council's Consultants, PricewaterhouseCoopers and also an amendment to the Scottish Executive interest rate.  It was noted that whilst these changes had an impact on the affordability gap, the public sector comparator contained within the outline business case, which presented the model in comparison to the traditional procurement model, was still correct and that the Public Private Partnership procurement model provided value for money to the Council.

There were also circulated to the Committee, letter dated 28 November 2001 from UNISON making representations relative to the proposal and the minute of the meeting of the Education Services: Managing Accommodation Working Group which had met earlier in the day to consider the outline business case.

Following discussion Councillor Jackson moved:-

(1) that approval be given to the outline business case for a Public Private Partnership project for Inverclyde schools as amended by the report dated 28 November 2001 by the Director of Finance Services and that this be submitted to the Scottish Executive;

(2) that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to provide funding of £2.806m in year 1 rising to £5.382m in year 30;  and

(3) that it be remitted to the appropriate Officers to implement a communications strategy to cover all aspects of the Public Private Partnership project.

As an amendment, Councillor Campbell moved the direct negative of Councillor Jackson's motion.

On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 9 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to the outline business case for a Public Private Partnership project for Inverclyde schools as amended by the report dated 28 November 2001 by the Director of Finance Services and that this be submitted to the Scottish Executive;

(2) that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to provide funding of £2.806m in year 1 rising to £5.382m in year 30;  and

(3) that it be remitted to the appropriate Officers to implement a communications strategy to cover all aspects of the Public Private Partnership project.

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 approve the distribution of the funding received without delay.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

1050

Further Distribution of Additional Financial Resources to Schools (Circular 9/2001)

1050

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of a second distribution of additional financial resources for schools, totalling £346,000 as specified by Scottish Executive Education Department Circular 9/2001.

Decided:

(1) that the contents of Scottish Executive Education Department Circular 9/2001 "End Year Flexibility - Additional Financial Resources for Schools" be noted;  and

(2) that the distribution of funding totalling £346,000 to individual schools as set out in Appendix 2 to the report be approved.