Education Services Committee

Tuesday 2 April 2002 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Jackson, McCabe, McGraw, Mitchell, Morrison (D), O’Rourke and Mrs P Purdie, Parent Representative.

Chair:  Councillor O’Rourke presided. 

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

Apologies:  Councillors Calvert, Campbell, Robertson (A) and Robertson (Y), Father T Boyle and Mr D Anderson.

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

291

Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 12

291

There was submitted a report dated 20 March 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2001/2002 as at Period 12 (6 March 2002) which showed a projected underspend of £34,000 a movement of £28,000 since the last report to the Committee.

Noted

292

Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Technical Progress

292

There was submitted a report dated 7 March 2002 by the Director of Education Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1)      that the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2001/2002 be noted;

(2)      that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations, a direct payment of £10,000 for the provision of a second new boiler at St Columba’s High School which was found to be necessary during the works to replace the existing boiler at the school, together with accumulated variations in the contract which are 28.8% (£10,000) greater than the accepted tender amount; and

(3)      that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations, an expenditure decrease of £7,000 in the works to provide a fitness suite at Wellington Academy due to a reduction in the work required to provide drainage from the new fitness suite.

293

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

293

There was submitted a report dated 20 March 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 2001/02 - 2003/04.

Noted

294

National Priorities in Education

294

There was submitted a report dated 14 March 2002 by the Director of Education Services on (1) the guidance given by the Scottish Executive to Education Authorities on implementing the National Priorities in Education and (2) the range and nature of the targets which have been developed for each of these priorities.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted; and

(2)      that the extent to which the practice recommended by the Scottish Executive is currently in place within Inverclyde schools and the Education Service be noted.

295

Proposed Enterprise Centre in St Stephen’s High School

295

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) advising of the progress of developments with regard to the proposed Enterprise Centre at St Stephen’s High School and (2) seeking approval to proceed with its implementation.

Decided:

(1)      that the developments which have taken place and the work undertaken by the Learning Business Partnership in progressing the developments be noted;

(2)      that the Committee approve the appointment of a Centre Manager for a period of 3 years on a fixed term contract or on a seconded basis and that it be remitted to the Head of Personnel Services to deal with the staffing implications; and

(3)      that authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to invite tenders for the works required and delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest acceptable offer in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders relating to Contracts and the Financial Regulations.

296

Bursary Policy for School Session 2002/2003

296

There was submitted a report dated 14 March 2002 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 2002/2003.

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 2002/2003.

297

Transfer of Renfrewshire Careers Partnership to Careers Scotland

297

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising the Committee of the arrangements for the transfer of Renfrewshire Careers Partnership to Careers Scotland.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted; and

(2)      that approval be given to the arrangements for the winding down of Renfrewshire Careers Partnership and its transfer to Careers Scotland as set out in the report and its appendix.

298

National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the Age of 16

298

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services advising of the publication of National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16 which cover services to be regulated under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001.

Decided:  that the publication of the National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16 and the implications for the Authority in applying and promoting the standards be noted.

299

New Community School: “Roll Out” Phase

299

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) on further developments which have been made in relation to the “Roll Out” phase of the New Community School initiative and (2) seeking approval of these.

Decided: 

(1)      that approval be given to the development of the New Community School within south west Greenock based on the educational establishments and services which support them, all as outlined in the report; and

(2)      that the New Community School be structured along the broad lines set out in the appendices to the report subject to further discussion and consultation with appropriate bodies.

300

The Administration of Arts Grant Awards to Pupils

300

There was submitted a report dated March 2002 by the Director of Education Services (1) on the current arrangements for the award of grants to pupils undertaking courses in the arts provided by national bodies outwith Inverclyde and (2) making recommendations in this regard.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the criteria for the award of grant as set out in appendix 3 to the report; and

(2)      that the delegation of power to the Director of Education Services to determine the courses for which grant funding is available be continued subject to the conditions outlined in the report.