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Prayer
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The meeting was opened with prayer led by
Rev John Macleod.
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Tribute:
Mrs Catherine Dunn
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The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee,
extended sympathy and condolences to Mrs Catherine Dunn, Head of Secondary
Education and Human Resources, on the recent death of her brother.
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Tribute:
Diploma in Management
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The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee,
congratulated the following employees on achieving the Diploma in Management
qualification:
Murdo
Murray, Technical Services
Domhnall
Macdonald, Sustainable Communities
Mairi
Macmillan, Finance
Donald
Stuart, Finance
Iain
Watson, Housing
Donna
Mackenzie, Housing
Lorraine Graham, Housing
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Tribute:
BT Scotland National Gaelic Debate
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The Chairman referred to the success of the
BT Scotland National Gaelic Debate, as a winner of the European Award for
Languages for innovation and effectiveness in language and noted the
involvement of the Comhairle in supporting the National Gaelic Debate.
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MINUTES
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Minute of
Meeting of 27 August 2003
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1
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The Minute of
Meeting of 27 August 2003 was approved.
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School
Board Appointment Committee
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2
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The Minute of Meeting of the School Board
Appointments Committee of 18 August
2003 was noted.
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FINANCE
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General Fund
Capital Programme 2004-2008
PR110.00
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3
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report
updating Members on developments with the existing and proposed Capital
Programme and recommending a revised timetable for setting the Capital
Programme for 2004-2008.
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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 interests were concerned.
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The Chairman
ruled that in accordance with the provision of Section 50(B) 4 of the Local
Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the following item be considered as a matter
of urgency in order to allow the Committee to take a view on the matter.
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General Fund Capital Programme 2003/04:
Additional Projects
PR110.01
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4
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report
detailing the latest position with regard to the inclusion of additional
capital projects within the Capital Programme 2003/04.
It was
agreed to recommend that no further projects be added to the Capital
Programme for 2003/04 at this point in the year, insofar as the Committee’s
interests were concerned.
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CHILDREN’S
SERVICES
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Western Isles Child Protection Committee
Annual Report 2002/2003
E01
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5
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The Director of Social Work submitted a
Report to the Committee for noting, following its submission to the Scottish
Executive for their information.
It was agreed to
recommend that the Western Isles Child Protection Committee Annual Report
2002/2003 be noted, following its submission to the Scottish Executive.
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Alternative Curriculum Education: Progress
Report
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6
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The
Director of Education and the Director of Social Work submitted a Report concerning
progress on the Alternative Curriculum Education.
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E01
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It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
note the content of the Alternative
Curriculum Education: Progress Report; and
(2)
note that the Director of Education and
the Director of Social Work will submit quarterly reports on the Alternative
Curriculum Education programme.
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BUILDINGS
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Programme and Progress
E02
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7
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With reference to item 7 of the Minute of
Meeting of 26 August 2003 the Director of Technical Services submitted a
Report concerning the capital works Programme and Progress in relation to
Education properties.
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It was
agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of the following two items 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 the
financial or business affairs of any particular person, other than the
Comhairle.
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Manish Old School and Schoolhouse
E02.33.01
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8
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The Director of Corporate Services submitted
a Report concerning an approach received from the owner of Manish School to amend permitted use of the subjects.
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It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle accede to the request from the owner of Manish School to amend the permitted use.
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Leurbost Old School and Schoolhouse
E02
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9
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The Director of Corporate Services and
Director of Education submitted a Report concerning the result of advertising
Leurbost Old School and Schoolhouse on the open market and seeking approval
of a further consultation with the community following a further expression
of interest from the Comhairle’s Housing Department.
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It was agreed to recommend that the
Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Housing be authorised to
consult with the local community and the local Member, on revised proposals
for housing development on the site of Leurbost Old School and to report back
to Members on the outcome of the consultation.
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Public Private Partnership Bid: Current
Position
E02
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10
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With reference to item 14 of the Minute of
Meeting of 26 August 2003 the Director of Education submitted a Report
concerning progress with the Public Private Partnership project.
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It was agreed to recommend that the
current position be reported to the Scottish Executive Private Finance Unit
in order that they may determine the way forward.
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EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Department of
Education: Standards and Quality Report 2002/03
E01
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11
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The Director of Education submitted a Report
presenting the Authority’s Standards and Quality Report for 2002/03.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle note:
(1)
the contents of the Standards &
Quality Report for 2002/03; and
(2) that individual schools are now required to produce
their own Standards and Quality Reports in line with local support and
guidance.
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Pre-Vocational Education and Training and Enterprise in Education
E01
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12
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The Director of Education submitted a Report
giving information on current and impending developments in Pre-Vocational
Education and Training and Enterprise in Education.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Comhairle note the progress in
relation to the extension of pre-vocational education; and
(2) the contents of the Report as the basis of a
submission to the Scottish Executive for funding to enable the Department to
become a ‘Pathfinder’ Authority for Enterprise in Education and
Pre-Vocational Training, be approved.
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Proposals
for the Expansion of the Music Instructor Service through additional funding
from the Scottish Executive
E01
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13
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The Director of Education submitted a Report
outlining proposals for the utilisation of new funds being made available by
the Scottish Executive for the development of youth music by expanding the
Instructor Service.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the contents of the Report be noted;
and
(2) the informal Group, established by the Director of
Education to consider the issue, continue to do so.
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Information
Technology: Electronic Satchels
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14
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The Director of Education submitted a Report
giving information of the current status regarding portable IT and electronic
publishing.
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E01
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|
It was agreed to recommend that the
contents of the Report be noted.
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RELATED MATTERS
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Update on
New Opportunities Fund Physical Education and Sport Initiative
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15
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report giving information on the progress of the Capital and
Revenue Projects being pursued and implemented through the utilisation of New
Opportunities Fund assistance.
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E01
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It was agreed to recommend that £60,000
of the funds identified in the Capital Programme for Voluntary Sector match
funding be utilised to enhance the PE and Sport Initiative Facilities
Programme, so that all identified projects submitted for Stage 2 NOF approval
may be completed.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of the following two items 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 a
particular employee, former employee or applicant to become an employee of,
or a particular office holder or former office holder, or applicant to become
an office holder under the Comhairle.
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Restructuring
of the Management and Quality Assurance Function of the Education
Department: Consequential Adjustments to Officer Structure
E07
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16
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The Director of Education submitted a Report
concerning bringing forward for approval, changes to the Officer structure of
the Department of Education, consequent upon the creation of new Heads of
Service Posts.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the consequential adjustments of the
Officer structure in the Department of Education, as outlined in the Report,
be approved; and
(2) it be delegated to the Director of Education to
effect any changes to Job Descriptions which arise from these adjustments.
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Removal
of Full Sugar Drinks from Sale in Schools
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17
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The Director of Education submitted a Report
seeking approval to consult on the removal of full sugar drinks from sale in
all school dining rooms and tuck shops.
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E07
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It was agreed to recommend that consultation
be undertaken with all the relevant stakeholders, on the removal from sale of
full sugar drinks in school dining rooms and tuck shops.
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PERFORMANCE REVIEW
|
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Reports
Outstanding: Progress
PR33.01.04
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18
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The Director of Corporate Services submitted
a Report concerning Reports Outstanding arising from decisions of the
Education Committee.
It was agreed to:
(1)
recommend that the Comhairle note the
Reports Outstanding Progress Report; and
(2)
hold a Seminar on Corporate Plan
issues, following advice on the PPP Initiative, preferably in the week
commencing 27 October 2003.
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