26 August 2003

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 26 August 2003 at 2.00pm

PRESENT

Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)

Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Miss Samantha E L Hawkins

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Alex A MacDonald

Mrs Annie MacDonald

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Archie K Campbell

Mr Murdo Macleod

Rev Andrew W.F. Coghill

Mr Angus Campbell

Very Rev John A Galbraith

APOLOGIES

Mr Iain Morrison

MINUTES

Minute of Meeting of 3 June 2003

1

The Minute of Meeting of 3 June 2003 was approved.

Minutes of Meetings of School Board Appointment Committees of 7 March 2003 and 11 August 2003

E08.09

2

The Minutes of Meetings of the School Board Appointment Committees of 7 March 2003 and 11 August 2003 were noted.

FINANCE

Quarter One Revenue Forecast Out-Turn 2003/2004

3

The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members about the Comhairle's Forecast Revenue Outturn for 2003/2004 at the end of the first quarter.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning Quarter 1 Revenue Forecast Out-turn 2003/04, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

General Fund Capital Programme 2004-2008

4

The Director of Finance submitted a Report advising Members of the options available to them in setting a capital programme for 2004/08 and seeking agreement on the process by which the programme could be finalised.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning the General Fund Capital Programme 2004 - 2008, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Non-Housing Capital Monitoring: 1 April 2003 - 30 June 2003

5

The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of progress and seeking decisions on changes in the Capital Programme for 2003/04 as at 30 June 2003.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning Non-Housing Capital Monitoring 1 April 2003 - 30 June 2003, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Additional Projects for 2003/2004 Capital Programme

6

The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of the additional projects identified by the Finance Working Group for inclusion in the 2003/04 Capital Programme, should resources permit. It was stated that the Comhairle is in the final year of funding Capital Expenditure by Section 94 Consent as the Prudential System for Capital Accounting comes into effect on 1 April 2004. To ensure that consent is not lost and that no GAE is eroded for loan charge support, it is proposed that the Capital Programme be increased to a projected 10% overspend.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning Non-Housing Capital Programme 2003/04 Additional Projects, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

It was further agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services submit a Report on requirements of each school concerning toilets.

BUILDINGS

Repairs & Maintenance Revenue Programme 2003/2004 Quarterly Expenditure Report to 30 June 2003

E03

7

With reference to item 9 of the Minute of Meeting of 4 February 2003, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report giving information of the situation in respect of expenditure upon the repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education Account to the end of the first quarter of the current financial year.

It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted and to note that further Reports on the repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education Account will continue to be placed before the Committee at quarterly intervals.

Programme and Progress

E03

8

With reference to Item 8 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 June 2003, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the capital works Programme and Progress in relation to Education properites.

It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.

Future use of Lochcroistean Old School and Schoolhouse

E02

9

The Director of Education and the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report seeking Members' views on the possible disposal of the former school and schoolhouse at Lochcroistean, Isle of Lewis.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) Lochcroistean Old School and Schoolhouse be advertised on the open market with offers being sought which specify the proposed future use as well as price but with the advert also inviting community groups to indicate any final interest in acquiring the property as a whole; and

(2) the advert in (1) above be also published using the Internet.

New Community Schools: Evaluation Report

E01

10

The Director of Education and Director of Social Work submitted a Report informing Members of the evaluation of the New Community Schools Project.

It was agreed:

(1) to note the content of the Evaluation Report; and

(2) to note that Education and Social Work will provide a further joint Report indicating how the developments and initiatives commented on in this evaluation can be mainstreamed along with other initiatives to ensure continuation of service delivery on an economic, efficient and effective basis and also to include the role of the Churchs; and

(3) that the Directors of Education and Social Work submit Reports on a three monthly basis giving details of progress with the ACE Scheme.

Music Instructors: Additional Funding from the Scottish Executive

E01

11

The Director of Education submitted a Report giving information on new funds being made available by the Scottish Executive for the development of youth music.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education:

(1) investigate other avenues, because of the geographical disadvantage of the Islands towards the provision of more Music Instructors; and

(2) convene a meeting to establish workable solutions towards achieving music tuition, as discussed at the Committee, to which external agencies are invited, together with consultation with parents.

CONFERENCES AND COURSES

Residential Conference for Church Representatives: 11-12 September 2003

E07

12

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report to consider whether the Comhairle should be represented at a two day residential Conference for church representatives on local authority Education Committees.

It as agreed to recommend that all religious interest representatives be invited to attend the Residential Conference on 11-12 September 2003.

RELATED MATTERS

Volunteer Helpers in Schools: Checks by Disclosure Scotland

E01

13

The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking Members' approval of the introduction of Disclosure Scotland checks for voluntary helpers in schools.

It was agreed to recommend the introduction of a policy that Disclosure Scotland enhanced disclosure criminal record checks be carried out on all voluntary helpers in schools in a planned programme from September 2003 to June 2004 and thereafter on an ongoing basis for new volunteers.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Reports Outstanding: Progress

PR33.01.12

14

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning Reports Outstanding arising from decisions of the Education Committee.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Comhairle note the Report;

(2) the Director of Education submit a Report on the use of Tablet Computer System as part of an Electronic Satchel;

(3) the Director of Education submit a Report on the future use of the Lews Castle School site including possible transfer to the Housing Account; and

(4) an Education PPP Working Group be established on the basis of the previous PPP Working Group membership to consider the educational aspects of PPP with membership to be the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Policy and Resources and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Education and Children's Services Committee.

PRESENT	Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Miss Samantha E L Hawkins	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Mr Alex A MacDonald	Mrs Annie MacDonald
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr Archie K Campbell
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Rev Andrew W.F. Coghill
	Mr Angus Campbell	Very Rev John A Galbraith

APOLOGIES	Mr Iain Morrison

		MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of 3 June 2003	1	The Minute of Meeting of 3 June 2003 was approved.
Minutes of Meetings of School Board Appointment Committees of 7 March 2003 and 11 August 2003 E08.09	2	The Minutes of Meetings of the School Board Appointment Committees of 7 March 2003 and 11 August 2003 were noted.
		FINANCE
Quarter One Revenue Forecast Out-Turn 2003/2004	3	The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members about the Comhairle's Forecast Revenue Outturn for 2003/2004 at the end of the first quarter. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning Quarter 1 Revenue Forecast Out-turn 2003/04, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
General Fund Capital Programme 2004-2008	4	The Director of Finance submitted a Report advising Members of the options available to them in setting a capital programme for 2004/08 and seeking agreement on the process by which the programme could be finalised. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning the General Fund Capital Programme 2004 - 2008, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring: 1 April 2003 - 30 June 2003	5	The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of progress and seeking decisions on changes in the Capital Programme for 2003/04 as at 30 June 2003. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning Non-Housing Capital Monitoring 1 April 2003 - 30 June 2003, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
Additional Projects for 2003/2004 Capital Programme	6	The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of the additional projects identified by the Finance Working Group for inclusion in the 2003/04 Capital Programme, should resources permit. It was stated that the Comhairle is in the final year of funding Capital Expenditure by Section 94 Consent as the Prudential System for Capital Accounting comes into effect on 1 April 2004. To ensure that consent is not lost and that no GAE is eroded for loan charge support, it is proposed that the Capital Programme be increased to a projected 10% overspend. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning Non-Housing Capital Programme 2003/04 Additional Projects, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned. It was further agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services submit a Report on requirements of each school concerning toilets.
		BUILDINGS
Repairs & Maintenance Revenue Programme 2003/2004 Quarterly Expenditure Report to 30 June 2003 E03	7	With reference to item 9 of the Minute of Meeting of 4 February 2003, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report giving information of the situation in respect of expenditure upon the repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education Account to the end of the first quarter of the current financial year. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted and to note that further Reports on the repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education Account will continue to be placed before the Committee at quarterly intervals.
Programme and Progress E03	8	With reference to Item 8 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 June 2003, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the capital works Programme and Progress in relation to Education properites. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
Future use of Lochcroistean Old School and Schoolhouse E02	9	The Director of Education and the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report seeking Members' views on the possible disposal of the former school and schoolhouse at Lochcroistean, Isle of Lewis. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) Lochcroistean Old School and Schoolhouse be advertised on the open market with offers being sought which specify the proposed future use as well as price but with the advert also inviting community groups to indicate any final interest in acquiring the property as a whole; and (2) the advert in (1) above be also published using the Internet.
New Community Schools: Evaluation Report E01	10	The Director of Education and Director of Social Work submitted a Report informing Members of the evaluation of the New Community Schools Project. It was agreed: (1) to note the content of the Evaluation Report; and (2) to note that Education and Social Work will provide a further joint Report indicating how the developments and initiatives commented on in this evaluation can be mainstreamed along with other initiatives to ensure continuation of service delivery on an economic, efficient and effective basis and also to include the role of the Churchs; and
		(3) that the Directors of Education and Social Work submit Reports on a three monthly basis giving details of progress with the ACE Scheme.
Music Instructors: Additional Funding from the Scottish Executive E01	11	The Director of Education submitted a Report giving information on new funds being made available by the Scottish Executive for the development of youth music. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education: (1) investigate other avenues, because of the geographical disadvantage of the Islands towards the provision of more Music Instructors; and (2) convene a meeting to establish workable solutions towards achieving music tuition, as discussed at the Committee, to which external agencies are invited, together with consultation with parents.
		CONFERENCES AND COURSES
Residential Conference for Church Representatives: 11-12 September 2003 E07	12	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report to consider whether the Comhairle should be represented at a two day residential Conference for church representatives on local authority Education Committees. It as agreed to recommend that all religious interest representatives be invited to attend the Residential Conference on 11-12 September 2003.
		RELATED MATTERS
Volunteer Helpers in Schools: Checks by Disclosure Scotland E01	13	The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking Members' approval of the introduction of Disclosure Scotland checks for voluntary helpers in schools. It was agreed to recommend the introduction of a policy that Disclosure Scotland enhanced disclosure criminal record checks be carried out on all voluntary helpers in schools in a planned programme from September 2003 to June 2004 and thereafter on an ongoing basis for new volunteers.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12	14	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning Reports Outstanding arising from decisions of the Education Committee. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle note the Report; (2) the Director of Education submit a Report on the use of Tablet Computer System as part of an Electronic Satchel; (3) the Director of Education submit a Report on the future use of the Lews Castle School site including possible transfer to the Housing Account; and (4) an Education PPP Working Group be established on the basis of the previous PPP Working Group membership to consider the educational aspects of PPP with membership to be the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Policy and Resources and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Education and Children's Services Committee.