28 August 2001

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday, 28 August 2001 at 2.00pm

PRESENT

Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)

Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Archie Campbell

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr David Blaney

Mr Murdo Macleod

Rev Andrew Coghill

Mr Philip R Maclean

Rev John A Galbraith

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Dr Alan J F Fraser

CONSTITUTION

On the motion of Mr Norman L Macdonald, seconded by Mr Finlay Morrison, the Committee agreed to suspend paragraph 10(f) of the Scheme of Administration to enable the appointment of a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman for a period which was different than 12 months.

Election of Chairman

85

The Democratic Services Manager chaired the meeting and called for nominations for Chairman of the Committee.

Mr Archie Campbell, seconded by Mr Ian M Macleod moved the election of Norman L Macdonald as Chairman of the Committee.

There being no further nominations, the Democratic Services Manager declared Mr Norman L Macdonald duly elected as Chairman of the Committee until the end of the current term of the Comhairle, expected to be in May 2003 or for the remaining life of the Committee, whichever was the shorter period, and subject to any changes arising from the introduction of any new Committee structures.

Election of Vice-Chairman

86

The Chairman called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

Mr Malcolm J Macleod, seconded by Mr Norman M Macleod , moved the election of Mrs Morag Munro as Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

There being no further nominations, the Chairman declared Mrs Morag Munro duly elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee until the end of the current term of the Comhairle, expected to be in May 2003 or for the remaining life of the Committee, whichever was the shorter period, and, subject to any changes arising from the introduction of any new Committee structures.

MINUTES

Education Committee

87

The Minute of Meeting of 29 May 2001 was approved.

Education Sub-Committee

88

The Minutes of Meetings of the Education Sub-Committee of 14 June 2001 and 20 June 2001 were noted.

Gaelic Development Sub-Committee

89

The Minute of Meeting of the Gaelic Development Sub-Committee of 31 May 2001 was submitted.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at items 9, 10 11 and 12 of the Minute, for the Committee's interest.

Education and Transportation Joint Sub-Committee

90

The Minute of Meeting of the Education and Transportation Joint Sub-Committee of 18 June 2001 was submitted.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at item 3 of the Minute.

Arising out of consideration of the minute it was agreed to remit to the Chairman the Vice-Chairman and the Director of Education to progress the issue of direct transport to Sgoil Lionacleit for pupils from Eriskay and Berneray in accordance with the Committee's recommendation of 27 March 2001.

School Board Appointment Committee

91

The Minutes of Meetings of the School Board Appointments Committee of 3 May 2001, 5 June 2001, 14 June 2001 and 26 June 2001 were noted.

Sir E Scott School Member/Officer Working Group

92

The Minutes of Meetings of the Sir E Scott School Member/Officer Working Group of 23 May 2001 and 26 June 2001 were noted.

FINANCE

Quarterly Forecast Revenue Out-turn

93

The Democratic Services Manager sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.

Education Service Budgetary Pressures and Offsetting Budget Adjustments 2001/2002

94

The Director of Education submitted a report advising members of the current projected budgetary pressures in the Primary, Secondary and Special Education sectors of the Education Service and seeking approval of the required offsetting budget adjustments. Appended to the report were the 2001/2002 estimated growths in expenditure and the 2001/2002 cuts proposed to offset growth.

It was agreed to:

(1) note the likely Education service growth of £165,000 set out in Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Education; and

(2) recommend approval of the implementation of the offsetting cuts set out at Appendix 2 of the Report following final confirmation of growth and subject to the Director of Education investigating other areas for potential savings to reduce the impact on the inservice budgets.

Carry Forward of Revenue Budgets

95*

The Director of Finance submitted a Report referring to the Council policy which allowed the carry forward of 2% of any underspend and 1% of any overspend in Departments' controllable budgets. Appended to the Report was:

(1) details of the out-turn position of each of Heads of Service which showed a net carry forward of £411,000 from 200/2001, and;

(2) details of how Departments propose to apply or achieve savings to meet these "carry forwards" in the current year.

It was agreed to recommend:

(1) approval of the carry forward to revenue budgets as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Education; and

(2) approval of the application of the carry forwards as detailed in Appendix 2 of the Report by the Director of Education.

1% Savings on Revenue Budgets

96*

With reference to Item 61 of the Minute of Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 19 June 2001, the Director of Finance submitted a Report appending details of savings which it was proposed to implement in order to achieve savings of up to 1% within controllable budgets.

It was indicated in the Report that a 1% saving across controllable budgets of all services equated to a total of £515,000.

It was agreed to recommend that the 1% of savings in the Education service be calculated, excluding the funds ring-fenced for school education and any savings required from the Education service be taken accordingly.

Capital Monitoring and Strategy

97

The Democratic Services Manager sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Business Plan Summary

98

There was submitted, Business Plan Summaries prepared by each Heads of Service.

It was agreed to note the Business Plan Summary for the Education service.

BUILDINGS

Capital Works: Programme and Progress

E03

99

With reference to item 65 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 May 2001 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 2001/2002: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 30 June 2001

E03

100

With reference to item 77 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 September 2000 the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the situation in respect of expenditure on 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 note the Report.

Former School and Schoolhouse at Brevig, Isle of Barra

E02.59

101*

With reference to item 35 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000 the Director of Education and the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Joint Report advising members that the Barra and Vatersay Housing Association had decided not to include Brevig Old School within its future plans and seeking approval to offer the property for sale on the open market. The report indicated that the title deeds to this property restrict is use to purposes of benefit to the local community as a whole and prohibit its use as a private residence or for commercial purposes.

It was agreed to recommend that the property be advertised on the open market, with offers being sought which specify the proposed future use, as well as price.

Coastal Erosion at Lionacleit

E07

102*

With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 2001 the Director of Technical Services submitted a report giving an update on the extent of coastal erosion along the coast-line south and east of Lionacleit School. The report indicated that this was the sixth in a series of topographic land surveys to monitor coastal erosion at Lionacleit School and was carried out by the Technical Services Consultancy during May 2001. Comparisons between the current survey and a survey from the Ordnance Survey in 1965 were appended to the report.

It was agreed to:

(1) note the Report; and

(2) recommend that Uist Members meet on a regular basis with appropriate local interests to monitor the coastal erosion at Lionacleit and to discuss remedial action.

EDUCATIONAL PROVISION

Budget 2001 - Additional Financial Resources for Schools

E01

103*

The Director of Education submitted a report advising members of additional resources allocated to Western Isles schools by the Scottish Executive and seeking approval of the basis of allocation to schools. It was indicated in the report that on 6 August 2001, the Scottish Executive announced the award of an additional £10 million pounds to Scottish Schools to be spend on books and other educational materials, including ICT and repairs and decoration. The terms of the award were set out in the letter from the Scottish Executive Education Department, which was appended to the report.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the additional resources for schools allocated by the Scottish Executive to the Western Isles be distributed to schools on the basis of the SEED allocation formula, as set out in Annex A of Appendix 1 of the report by the Director of Education; and

(2) funds allocated for schools which closed in June 2001 be allocated to the relevant receiving school.

School Sport Co-ordinator Programme

E07

104

With reference to item 51 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 March 2001 the Director of Education and the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a joint report informing members of progress to date and seeking approval to submit applications to Sportscotland, on the basis outlined in the report. It was indicated in the report that the School Sport Co-ordinator Programme was a nationally funded initiative aimed at supporting and enhancing the range and quality of extended curricular sporting provision in schools. It was proposed that the Programme established in the Western Isles be based on existing staffing resources, specifically identified and agreed at individual school level. Appended to the report was the Schools Sport Co-ordinator Report which went to Committee in March 2001.

It was agreed to approve the submission of applications to Sportscotland to establish a Sports Co-ordinator Programme for Secondary Schools on the basis outlined in the joint report by the Director of Education and the Director for Sustainable Communities.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Reports Outstanding: Progress

PR33.01.12

105

With reference to item 84 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 May 2001 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 Norman M Macleod
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald	Mr Archie Campbell
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr David Blaney
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Rev Andrew Coghill
	Mr Philip R Maclean	Rev John A Galbraith
	Mr Donald I Nicholson	Dr Alan J F Fraser

		CONSTITUTION
		On the motion of Mr Norman L Macdonald, seconded by Mr Finlay Morrison, the Committee agreed to suspend paragraph 10(f) of the Scheme of Administration to enable the appointment of a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman for a period which was different than 12 months.
Election of Chairman	85	The Democratic Services Manager chaired the meeting and called for nominations for Chairman of the Committee. Mr Archie Campbell, seconded by Mr Ian M Macleod moved the election of Norman L Macdonald as Chairman of the Committee. There being no further nominations, the Democratic Services Manager declared Mr Norman L Macdonald duly elected as Chairman of the Committee until the end of the current term of the Comhairle, expected to be in May 2003 or for the remaining life of the Committee, whichever was the shorter period, and subject to any changes arising from the introduction of any new Committee structures.
Election of Vice-Chairman	86	The Chairman called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Committee. Mr Malcolm J Macleod, seconded by Mr Norman M Macleod , moved the election of Mrs Morag Munro as Vice-Chairman of the Committee. There being no further nominations, the Chairman declared Mrs Morag Munro duly elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee until the end of the current term of the Comhairle, expected to be in May 2003 or for the remaining life of the Committee, whichever was the shorter period, and, subject to any changes arising from the introduction of any new Committee structures.
		MINUTES
Education Committee	87	The Minute of Meeting of 29 May 2001 was approved.
Education Sub-Committee	88	The Minutes of Meetings of the Education Sub-Committee of 14 June 2001 and 20 June 2001 were noted.
Gaelic Development Sub-Committee	89	The Minute of Meeting of the Gaelic Development Sub-Committee of 31 May 2001 was submitted. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at items 9, 10 11 and 12 of the Minute, for the Committee's interest.
Education and Transportation Joint Sub-Committee	90	The Minute of Meeting of the Education and Transportation Joint Sub-Committee of 18 June 2001 was submitted. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at item 3 of the Minute. Arising out of consideration of the minute it was agreed to remit to the Chairman the Vice-Chairman and the Director of Education to progress the issue of direct transport to Sgoil Lionacleit for pupils from Eriskay and Berneray in accordance with the Committee's recommendation of 27 March 2001.
School Board Appointment Committee	91	The Minutes of Meetings of the School Board Appointments Committee of 3 May 2001, 5 June 2001, 14 June 2001 and 26 June 2001 were noted.
Sir E Scott School Member/Officer Working Group	92	The Minutes of Meetings of the Sir E Scott School Member/Officer Working Group of 23 May 2001 and 26 June 2001 were noted.
		FINANCE
Quarterly Forecast Revenue Out-turn	93	The Democratic Services Manager sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.
Education Service Budgetary Pressures and Offsetting Budget Adjustments 2001/2002	94	The Director of Education submitted a report advising members of the current projected budgetary pressures in the Primary, Secondary and Special Education sectors of the Education Service and seeking approval of the required offsetting budget adjustments. Appended to the report were the 2001/2002 estimated growths in expenditure and the 2001/2002 cuts proposed to offset growth. It was agreed to: (1) note the likely Education service growth of £165,000 set out in Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Education; and (2) recommend approval of the implementation of the offsetting cuts set out at Appendix 2 of the Report following final confirmation of growth and subject to the Director of Education investigating other areas for potential savings to reduce the impact on the inservice budgets.
Carry Forward of Revenue Budgets	95*	The Director of Finance submitted a Report referring to the Council policy which allowed the carry forward of 2% of any underspend and 1% of any overspend in Departments' controllable budgets. Appended to the Report was: (1) details of the out-turn position of each of Heads of Service which showed a net carry forward of £411,000 from 200/2001, and; (2) details of how Departments propose to apply or achieve savings to meet these "carry forwards" in the current year. It was agreed to recommend: (1) approval of the carry forward to revenue budgets as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Education; and (2) approval of the application of the carry forwards as detailed in Appendix 2 of the Report by the Director of Education.
1% Savings on Revenue Budgets	96*	With reference to Item 61 of the Minute of Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 19 June 2001, the Director of Finance submitted a Report appending details of savings which it was proposed to implement in order to achieve savings of up to 1% within controllable budgets. It was indicated in the Report that a 1% saving across controllable budgets of all services equated to a total of £515,000. It was agreed to recommend that the 1% of savings in the Education service be calculated, excluding the funds ring-fenced for school education and any savings required from the Education service be taken accordingly.
Capital Monitoring and Strategy	97	The Democratic Services Manager sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.
		BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Business Plan Summary	98	There was submitted, Business Plan Summaries prepared by each Heads of Service. It was agreed to note the Business Plan Summary for the Education service.
		BUILDINGS
Capital Works: Programme and Progress E03	99	With reference to item 65 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 May 2001 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 2001/2002: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 30 June 2001 E03	100	With reference to item 77 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 September 2000 the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the situation in respect of expenditure on 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 note the Report.
Former School and Schoolhouse at Brevig, Isle of Barra E02.59	101*	With reference to item 35 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000 the Director of Education and the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Joint Report advising members that the Barra and Vatersay Housing Association had decided not to include Brevig Old School within its future plans and seeking approval to offer the property for sale on the open market. The report indicated that the title deeds to this property restrict is use to purposes of benefit to the local community as a whole and prohibit its use as a private residence or for commercial purposes. It was agreed to recommend that the property be advertised on the open market, with offers being sought which specify the proposed future use, as well as price.
Coastal Erosion at Lionacleit E07	102*	With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 2001 the Director of Technical Services submitted a report giving an update on the extent of coastal erosion along the coast-line south and east of Lionacleit School. The report indicated that this was the sixth in a series of topographic land surveys to monitor coastal erosion at Lionacleit School and was carried out by the Technical Services Consultancy during May 2001. Comparisons between the current survey and a survey from the Ordnance Survey in 1965 were appended to the report. It was agreed to: (1) note the Report; and (2) recommend that Uist Members meet on a regular basis with appropriate local interests to monitor the coastal erosion at Lionacleit and to discuss remedial action.
		EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
Budget 2001 - Additional Financial Resources for Schools E01	103*	The Director of Education submitted a report advising members of additional resources allocated to Western Isles schools by the Scottish Executive and seeking approval of the basis of allocation to schools. It was indicated in the report that on 6 August 2001, the Scottish Executive announced the award of an additional £10 million pounds to Scottish Schools to be spend on books and other educational materials, including ICT and repairs and decoration. The terms of the award were set out in the letter from the Scottish Executive Education Department, which was appended to the report. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the additional resources for schools allocated by the Scottish Executive to the Western Isles be distributed to schools on the basis of the SEED allocation formula, as set out in Annex A of Appendix 1 of the report by the Director of Education; and (2) funds allocated for schools which closed in June 2001 be allocated to the relevant receiving school.
School Sport Co-ordinator Programme E07	104	With reference to item 51 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 March 2001 the Director of Education and the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a joint report informing members of progress to date and seeking approval to submit applications to Sportscotland, on the basis outlined in the report. It was indicated in the report that the School Sport Co-ordinator Programme was a nationally funded initiative aimed at supporting and enhancing the range and quality of extended curricular sporting provision in schools. It was proposed that the Programme established in the Western Isles be based on existing staffing resources, specifically identified and agreed at individual school level. Appended to the report was the Schools Sport Co-ordinator Report which went to Committee in March 2001. It was agreed to approve the submission of applications to Sportscotland to establish a Sports Co-ordinator Programme for Secondary Schools on the basis outlined in the joint report by the Director of Education and the Director for Sustainable Communities.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12	105	With reference to item 84 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 May 2001 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.