19 November 2002

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 19 November 2002 at 2.00pm

PRESENT

Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)

Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Archie Campbell

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr David Blaney

Mr Roderick J Murray

Rev Andrew Coghill

Mr Murdo Macleod

Rev John Macleod

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Murdo Macdonald

Mr Norman M Macleod

Dr Alan J F Fraser

APOLOGIES

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Philip R McLean

Prayer

The meeting was opened with prayer led by Dr Alan J F Fraser.

MINUTES

Minute of Meeting of 1 October 2002

1

The minute of meeting of 1 October 2002 was approved.

Minute of Meeting of Sir E Scott School Member/Officer Working Group of 20 September 2002

2

The minute of meeting of Sir E Scott School Member/Officer Working Group of 20 September 2002 was noted.

Minute of Meeting of Bayble School Member/Officer Working Group of 20 September 2002

3

The minute of meeting of Bayble School Member/Officer Working Group of 20 September 2002 was noted.

Minute of Meeting of Children Looked After Away From Home Monitoring Group of 29 October 2002

4

The minute of meeting of Children Looked After Away From Home Monitoring Group of 29 October 2002 was noted.

Non Housing Capital Monitoring: 1 April 2002 - 30 September 2002

5

With reference to item 5 of the minute of meeting of 27 August 2002, the Director of Finance submitted a report informing Members of progress with the Non-Housing Capital Account as at 30 September 2002.

It was agreed to approve the recommendations in the report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Second Quarter Revenue Forecast Outturn 2002/03

6

The Director of Finance submitted a report informing Members of the Comhairle's forecast outturn for 2002/03 following the second quarter monitoring.

It was agreed to approve the recommendations in the report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Education Revenue Estimates 2002/2004: Current Position

7

The Director of Education submitted a report concerning the current position with regard to 2003/2004 Revenue Estimates for Education. The report indicated that the Education Department had to identify areas where demand was likely to increase or savings occurred and that no significant budget cuts were currently foreseen.

It was agreed to note that no significant budget cuts were currently foreseen as part of the preparation of the 2003/2004 Revenue Estimates but that budgetary proposals would be submitted to members if the situation changed later in the financial year.

BUILDINGS

Capital Works: Programme and Progress

E03

8

With reference to item 4 of the minute of meeting of 1 October 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the capital works programme and progress in relation to education properties.

It was agreed to note the report.

Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 2002/2003: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 7 October 2002

9

With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 August 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 2002/2003: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 6 August 2002.

It was agreed to note the report.

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the financial of business affairs of any particular person other than the Comhairle.

Manish Old School and Schoolhouse

E02

10

With reference to item 13 of the minute of meeting of 30 January 2001, the Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning an approach received from the owner of Manish School to amend the permitted use of the School and Schoolhouse. A letter from the owner of the School was appended to the report.

It was agreed to accede to the request from the owner of Manish School to amend the permitted use.

EDUCATIONAL PROVISION

Provision of Computer Hardware and Networking in Schools

E01

11

The Director of Education submitted a report concerning the level of provision of computer hardware and networking in schools. Appended to the report were details of the progress made, including results of a survey of Scottish Schools on behalf of the Scottish Executive regarding connection to the internet, email addresses and the modern computer ration for pupils. It was noted that Eileanan Siar schools had made good progress towards meeting NGFL targets by September 2001.

It was agreed to note the report.

Bid for a Public Private Partnership Project for Schools: Affordability Review

E01

12

The Director of Education submitted a report concerning the preparation of a bid for Public Private Partnership funding to be submitted to the Scottish Executive. It was indicated in the report that the necessary surveys have now been undertaken of the schools to be the subject of the first Public Private Partnership Submission by the Comhairle.

It was agreed to note the report.

Mr Norman L Macdonald declared an interest in the following item and left the meeting during consideration of the item.

Mrs Morag Munro chaired the meeting during consideration of the item.

Roll Out of the New Community School Approach: Funding for 2004/05 and 2005/06

13

With reference to item 15 of the minute of meeting of 29 January 2002 , the Director of Education submitted a report concerning the implications for New Community School provision in the Western Isles in the light of the Scottish Executive's funding provision for 2004/05 and 2005/06. The level of funding for the New Community School provision for the years 2004/05 and 2005/06 was set out in the report.

E01

It was agreed to note:

(1) the level of funding for New Community School provision for 2004/05 and 2005/06; and

(2) that the Director of Education would submit a further report, setting out the options available to the Committee.

Standards in Scotland's Schools Etc Act 2000 - Statement of Local Improvement Objectives 2003/2004

E01

14

With reference to item 37 of the minute of meeting of 27 March 2001 ,the Director of Education submitted a report concerning the views on the draft annual statement of Improvement Objectives for the Comhairle for 2003/04. The draft statement of Improvement Objectives for the Comhairle in relation to the Scottish Executive's national priorities for 2003/04 were outlined in the report.

It was agreed that the draft Local Improvement Objectives set out in Appendix A to this report be adopted as the Comhairle's Statement of Local Improvement Objectives for 2003/04, subject to appropriate consultation.

RELATED MATTERS

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to particular employees of the Comhairle.

Restructuring of the Management and Quality Assurance Functions of the Education Department

E07

15

The Director of Education submitted a report concerning the proposals to restructure the management and quality assurance functions of the Education Department.

It was agreed to:

(1) approve the model proposed for the Management and Quality Improvement Structures in the report by the Director of Education; and

(2) note that following consultations with staff and unions, the Director of Education would submit a further report which would deal with the second stage of restructuring at APT & C level.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Reports Outstanding: Progress

PR33.01.12

16

With reference to item 18 of the minute of meeting of 1 October 2002 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Education Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

___

PRESENT	Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Archie Campbell
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald	Mr David Blaney
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Rev Andrew Coghill
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Rev John Macleod
	Mr Donald I Nicholson	Mr Murdo Macdonald
	Mr Norman M Macleod	Dr Alan J F Fraser

APOLOGIES	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr Philip R McLean

Prayer		The meeting was opened with prayer led by Dr Alan J F Fraser.
		MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of 1 October 2002	1	The minute of meeting of 1 October 2002 was approved.
Minute of Meeting of Sir E Scott School Member/Officer Working Group of 20 September 2002	2	The minute of meeting of Sir E Scott School Member/Officer Working Group of 20 September 2002 was noted.
Minute of Meeting of Bayble School Member/Officer Working Group of 20 September 2002	3	The minute of meeting of Bayble School Member/Officer Working Group of 20 September 2002 was noted.
Minute of Meeting of Children Looked After Away From Home Monitoring Group of 29 October 2002	4	The minute of meeting of Children Looked After Away From Home Monitoring Group of 29 October 2002 was noted.
Non Housing Capital Monitoring: 1 April 2002 - 30 September 2002	5	With reference to item 5 of the minute of meeting of 27 August 2002, the Director of Finance submitted a report informing Members of progress with the Non-Housing Capital Account as at 30 September 2002. It was agreed to approve the recommendations in the report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
Second Quarter Revenue Forecast Outturn 2002/03	6	The Director of Finance submitted a report informing Members of the Comhairle's forecast outturn for 2002/03 following the second quarter monitoring.
		It was agreed to approve the recommendations in the report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
Education Revenue Estimates 2002/2004: Current Position	7	The Director of Education submitted a report concerning the current position with regard to 2003/2004 Revenue Estimates for Education. The report indicated that the Education Department had to identify areas where demand was likely to increase or savings occurred and that no significant budget cuts were currently foreseen. It was agreed to note that no significant budget cuts were currently foreseen as part of the preparation of the 2003/2004 Revenue Estimates but that budgetary proposals would be submitted to members if the situation changed later in the financial year.
		BUILDINGS
Capital Works: Programme and Progress E03	8	With reference to item 4 of the minute of meeting of 1 October 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the capital works programme and progress in relation to education properties. It was agreed to note the report.
Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 2002/2003: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 7 October 2002	9	With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 August 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 2002/2003: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 6 August 2002. It was agreed to note the report.
		It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the financial of business affairs of any particular person other than the Comhairle.
Manish Old School and Schoolhouse E02	10	With reference to item 13 of the minute of meeting of 30 January 2001, the Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning an approach received from the owner of Manish School to amend the permitted use of the School and Schoolhouse. A letter from the owner of the School was appended to the report.
		It was agreed to accede to the request from the owner of Manish School to amend the permitted use.
		EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
Provision of Computer Hardware and Networking in Schools E01	11	The Director of Education submitted a report concerning the level of provision of computer hardware and networking in schools. Appended to the report were details of the progress made, including results of a survey of Scottish Schools on behalf of the Scottish Executive regarding connection to the internet, email addresses and the modern computer ration for pupils. It was noted that Eileanan Siar schools had made good progress towards meeting NGFL targets by September 2001.
		It was agreed to note the report.
Bid for a Public Private Partnership Project for Schools: Affordability Review E01	12	The Director of Education submitted a report concerning the preparation of a bid for Public Private Partnership funding to be submitted to the Scottish Executive. It was indicated in the report that the necessary surveys have now been undertaken of the schools to be the subject of the first Public Private Partnership Submission by the Comhairle. It was agreed to note the report.
		Mr Norman L Macdonald declared an interest in the following item and left the meeting during consideration of the item.
		Mrs Morag Munro chaired the meeting during consideration of the item.
Roll Out of the New Community School Approach: Funding for 2004/05 and 2005/06	13	With reference to item 15 of the minute of meeting of 29 January 2002 , the Director of Education submitted a report concerning the implications for New Community School provision in the Western Isles in the light of the Scottish Executive's funding provision for 2004/05 and 2005/06. The level of funding for the New Community School provision for the years 2004/05 and 2005/06 was set out in the report.
E01		It was agreed to note: (1) the level of funding for New Community School provision for 2004/05 and 2005/06; and (2) that the Director of Education would submit a further report, setting out the options available to the Committee.
Standards in Scotland's Schools Etc Act 2000 - Statement of Local Improvement Objectives 2003/2004 E01	14	With reference to item 37 of the minute of meeting of 27 March 2001 ,the Director of Education submitted a report concerning the views on the draft annual statement of Improvement Objectives for the Comhairle for 2003/04. The draft statement of Improvement Objectives for the Comhairle in relation to the Scottish Executive's national priorities for 2003/04 were outlined in the report. It was agreed that the draft Local Improvement Objectives set out in Appendix A to this report be adopted as the Comhairle's Statement of Local Improvement Objectives for 2003/04, subject to appropriate consultation.
		RELATED MATTERS
		It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to particular employees of the Comhairle.
Restructuring of the Management and Quality Assurance Functions of the Education Department E07	15	The Director of Education submitted a report concerning the proposals to restructure the management and quality assurance functions of the Education Department. It was agreed to: (1) approve the model proposed for the Management and Quality Improvement Structures in the report by the Director of Education; and (2) note that following consultations with staff and unions, the Director of Education would submit a further report which would deal with the second stage of restructuring at APT & C level.