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COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES COMMITTEE |
Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 3 February 2004 at 2.00pm
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PRESENT |
Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman) |
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Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman) |
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Miss Samantha E L Hawkins |
Mr Donald I Nicholson |
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Mr Iain Morrison |
Mr Norman M Macleod |
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Mr Alex A Macdonald |
Mrs Annie Macdonald |
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Mr Ian M Macleod |
Mr Archie K Campbell |
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Mr Murdo Macleod |
Rev Andrew Coghill |
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Mr Angus Campbell |
Rev Dr Iain D Campbell |
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The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Rev Andrew Coghill.
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Tribute: Lionel School
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The Chairman referred to Lionel School who had won the Scottish heats of a UK wide student investor programme. The team from the School would now go on to compete against 300 other pupil groups for the top prize of a trip to New York and £2,000 awarded to the School. The Competition was designed to increase young peoples' understanding of investment, business and the stock market and teams invested an imaginary £100,000 portfolio in UK and international shares.
The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated the Think Pink Team from Lionel School and wished them well in the national quarter finals.
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Tribute: Miss Kathryn Offer
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The Chairman referred to Kathryn Offer, a pupil from Airidhantuim School, who won the Scottish Schools Swimming Championship for the 50 metres backstroke. The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, sent congratulations to Kathryn on this major achievement.
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Tribute: Back School
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The Chairman referred to Back School who are to link up with the International Space Station in a unique event which will give the pupils an unprecedented opportunity to talk to astronauts and ask questions. Last Summer Michael Foale visited Back School and indicated that he might be able to talk to them from space on his next mission. This contact will be unique as Back School will be the first Scottish School, and the most northerly, ever contacted from the International Space Station.
The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, wished the pupils at Back School every success with this event.
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Tribute: Mr Michael Drummond
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The Chairman referred to Mr Michael Drummond, Principal Administrative Officer, Corporate Services, who had been in hospital recently. The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, wished Michael a full and speedy recovery. |
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Presentation: Mysterion
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The Chairman welcomed Ms Bronwen Robinson and Ms Ruth Maclean from Mysterion, the Gaelic online database. Ms Robinson gave a detailed presentation on the work of Mysterion and demonstrated the online database, which could prove be very beneficial to both pupils and parents.
An opportunity was afforded to Members to ask questions.
The Chairman thanked Ms Robinson and Ms Maclean for their full and interesting presentation.
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MINUTES
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Minute of Meeting of 25 November 2003
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The Minute of Meeting of 25 November 2003 was approved. |
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FINANCE
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General Fund Capital Monitoring 1 April 2003 – 31 December 2003 PR110.01
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the General Fund Capital Monitoring for the period 1 April 2003-31 December 2003.
It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning the General Fund Capital Monitoring 1 April 2003-31 December 2003, insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned.
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Capital Programme 2004 – 2005 PR110.01 |
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report in relation to expenditure on the Capital Programme 2004-2005.
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It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning the Capital Programme 2004-2005, insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned.
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Third Quarter Revenue Monitoring
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report in relation to the Third Quarter Revenue Monitoring.
It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning the Third Quarter Revenue Monitoring, insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned.
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Budget Strategy
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the draft Budget for 2004/2005.
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It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report, insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned.
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BUILDINGS
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Programme and Progress E02
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With reference to item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of 25 November 2003 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the Capital Works Programme and Progress in relation to Arts and Leisure properties.
It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
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Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 2003/2004: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 31 December 2003 E02
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7 |
With reference to item 7 of the Minute of Meeting of 25 November 2003 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing expenditure on repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education account in the current financial year to 31 December 2003.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Report be noted; and
(2) it be noted that further Reports on the repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education Account would continue to be placed before Committee at quarterly intervals.
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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 Paragraphs 6 and 9 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) and any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the Comhairle in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.
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Lochcroistean Old School and Schoolhouse E02.33.01
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8* |
With reference to item 9 of the Minute of Meeting of 26 August 2003 the Acting Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning an approach received from the proposed purchaser of Lochcroistean Old School and Schoolhouse to vary a term of the sale. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle does not accede to the request from the proposed purchaser of Lochcroistean Old School to vary a term of the sale and that the Acting Director of Corporate Services be authorised to maintain the Comhairle’s position in this regard.
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Comann Spòrs a Chinn a Deas – Request for Lease of Land at Daliburgh School E02
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The Acting Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Education submitted a Joint Report concerning the lease of the Comhairle owned land forming part of the curtilage of Daliburgh School to Comann Sports a Chinn a Deas to proceed with plans to improve the outdoor sports area at Daliburgh School, including the provision of an athletic track and football pitch. A plan of the site was appended to the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agree, in principle, to grant a lease to Comann Spors a Chinn a Deas of the area shown on the plan appended to the Report for a term of twenty five years subject to Comann Spors a Chinn a Deas submitting details of their proposals to the satisfaction of the Director of Education and at a nil rental subject to the consent of the Scottish Ministers being obtained and subject to such other terms and conditions as the Acting Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director of Education, shall determine.
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CHILDREN’S SERVICES
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Changing Children’s Services Fund SW02
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With reference to item 4 of the Minute of Meeting of the Social Work Committee of 13 March 2003 the Director of Social Work submitted a Report detailing current activity within the approved expenditure from the Changing Children’s Services Fund for 2003 – 2004. Proposals for continued and further commitment from the Fund for 2004 – 2005 were also outlined. Details of the current service provided and proposals for new commitments were outlined in the Report and the proposals for the Programme for 2004 – 2005 were appended to the Report.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the services currently being provided through the approved funding from the Changing Children’s Services Fund for 2003 – 2004 be noted;
(2) the proposals for continued and new services for 2004 – 2005, as set out in the Report be approved; and
(3) the proposal to reserve the balance of funding to address issues arising from the review of inter-agency child protection practices and the outcome of the proposed consultation on Integrated Children’s Services be approved.
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EDUCATIONAL POLICY
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Revised Quality Improvement Policy – Draft for Consultation E01
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With reference to item 15 of the Minute of Meeting of 19 November 2002 the Director of Education submitted a Report proposing the adoption of the revised Quality Improvement Policy, in light of the new HM Inspectorate of Education Proportionate Inspection arrangements which had been reported to the Committee at the last meeting. The background to the matter was outlined in the report and the Draft Revised Quality Improvement Policy was appended to the Report.
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It was agreed to recommend that implementation of the Revised Quality Improvement Policy, linked to the Department of Education Vision Statement ‘Ag Amais Air Adhartas/Aiming for Advancement’ and in line with the statutory requirements of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000, be approved.
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Inclusion Policy – Draft for Consultation E05
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The Director of Education and the Director of Social Work submitted a Joint Report concerning the Draft Inclusion Policy, which was appended to the Report. The Policy outlined how the Department of Education intends to integrate and improve its Special Needs and Support for Learning provision throughout the Western Isles. It was indicated in the Report that the Department of Education would consult with service users, school statutory agencies and the voluntary sector prior to bringing a Report to the Committee in June 2004.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the contents of the draft Policy be approved; and
(2) a consultation process be undertaken by the Director of Education with service users and other agencies.
Arising out of consideration of this item, it was agreed that a Seminar be arranged for Members of the Committee to discuss issues relating to the development of Integrated Children’s Services and the Comhairle's inclusion policy.
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EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
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Integrated Early Years Provision: Draft for Consultation E01
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The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking approval to consult on the proposals for Integrated Early Years Provision. The draft Integrated Early Years Provision was appended to the Report and proposed that all early years services within the local authority be integrated within a unitary model of service delivery. It was indicated in the Report that the Department of Education would consult with service users, pre-school providers, childcare providers, statutory agencies and the voluntary sector prior to bringing a report to the Committee in June 2004.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Report be noted; and
(2) the Director of Education be authorised to undertake a consultation exercise and Report the outcome to the June 2004 Committee.
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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 4 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely information relating to any particular applicant for, or recipient or former recipient of, any service provided by the Comhairle.
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Application for Financial Contribution to Boarding Costs at Dingwall Academy E01.05.04
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The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning a request from parent MAM for financial assistance towards the costs of enrolling her son, pupil AM, , at Dingwall Academy, for the six month period to the end of June 2004.
It was agreed to recommend that financial support in the sum of £30.00 per week be made available to assist pupil AM to attend Dingwall Academy to enable him to take up the opportunity detailed in the Report.
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Pre-School Funding 2004/05 E01.02.06
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With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 March 2003 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning the proposed pre-school commissioned place rate for 2004/2005 and indicating the continuation of existing arrangements for other pre-school support. It was indicated in the Report that pre-school education in the Western Isles is provided in partnership with private and voluntary sector pre-school providers, with the Education Department commissioning places from these providers at a set annual rate for each child.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) a rate per fully commissioned pre-school place (including for 3 year olds) of £1270 for the 2004/2005 pre-school year be approved; and
(2) the continuation of other support arrangements for pre-school groups during 2004/2005 be noted.
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New Community School Project Update E01
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With reference to item 22 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 December 2002 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning different aspects of activity in New Community Schools. An update of the different types of inclusion projects were outlined in the Report. It was also indicated that the title ‘New Community Schools’ is to be changed to ‘Integrated Community Schools’.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Report be noted; and
(2) it be noted that the title ‘New Community Schools’ is to be changed to ‘Integrated Community Schools’, with effect from 31 March 2004.
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Integrated Early Years Grant Criteria – Pre-School, Childcare and Sure Start Grant E01.02.06
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The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning integration of the pre-School education, childcare and sure start grant systems. It was indicated in the Report that in order to promote efficiency and eradicate the possible duplication of funding, it was proposed that the three funding streams use one set of grant criteria, as indicated at Appendix A to the Report. It was further indicated that all applications would be made through one office and all grants would be assessed by the Childcare Partnership Financial Sub-Group, which would help streamline early years services and meet the Scottish Executive’s aim for an Integrated Early Years Strategy.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the integration of SEED Childcare Strategy, Sure Start and Pre-School Education grants be approved; and
(2) the Childcare Partnership Office process these grants and make recommendations to the Childcare Partnership Financial Sub-Group which will take the final decision on each application.
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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 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.
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Gaelic Specific Grant Bid 2004-05 – Outcome of Bid E01.01.24
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With reference to item 12 of the Minute of Meeting of 26 March 2002 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning an amended programme of expenditure for 2004-05 under the Scheme of Specific Grants for Gaelic, in anticipation of an allocation less than the original bid. It was indicated in the Report that the outcome of the Comhairle’s application had yet to be confirmed by the Executive but it was anticipated that the award would be at a level no less than in the current year, with the likelihood of a small increase, in line with the current year. This would be significantly less than the original application and, as a result, there would be gap between the Department’s aspirations and what could actually be achieved.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) officers be authorised to proceed with the implementation of projects, as detailed in the Report, but with the reductions as set out in Appendix 1 to the Report; and
(2) should the grant award exceed the anticipated amount, the Director of Education be authorised to reinstate projects, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the Report.
Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that the Convener would liaise with the Vice-Chairman with a view to putting forward a bid to secure the amount of Gaelic Specific Grant allocated to the Comhairle in future years.
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RELATED MATTERS
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Progress Report on Schools Handyperson Service E05.08
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With reference to item 44 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 April 2002 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning progress in relation to the handyperson service, since its introduction in August 2002. It was indicated in the Report that an evaluation of the service was conducted and overall the responses from schools had been positive, supportive and complimentary. A sample of responses and comments were appended to the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the progress Report on the implementation of the handyperson service in Schools be noted; and
(2) it be noted that the Director of Education would now consider making recommendations for extending the service with a view to providing a more equitable distribution of skills and support to all schools in the Western Isles.
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Education Maintenance Allowances E01.05.04
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The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning the national rollout of Education Maintenance Allowances from the start of the 2004/05 school year. It was indicated in the Report that Education Maintenance Allowances would be phased in over the next two school years to replace and enhance the current High School Bursary system. |
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the initial proposals for the rollout of Education Maintenance Allowances be noted; and
(2) a further Report on implementation be submitted to the April 2004 series of meetings.
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Enhancing Sexual Wellbeing in Scotland – A Draft National Strategy for Consultation E01
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The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the Comhairle’s response to the Scottish Executive’s consultation strategy entitled ‘Enhancing Sexual Wellbeing in Scotland’. The draft response was appended to the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the draft response to the Scottish Executive be approved, subject to the insertion of the following points:
(1) that the role of parents in determining and influencing the sex education which children receive in schools be highlighted; and
(2) a desire to address the causes and not merely the symptoms of deteriorating sexual health in the community.
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Dealing with Offending by Young People SW02
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The Director of Education and the Director of Social Work submitted a joint Report concerning the outcome of Audit Scotland’s National Study, published in December 2003, which examined the structures and procedures of the “youth justice system” in Scotland. It was indicated in the Report that in Scotland Local Authorities have responsibility for the delivery and monitoring of Supervision Orders under the Children’s Hearings System and the Criminal Justice System. A summary of the Dealing with Offending by Young People Study was appended to the Report.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the outcome of the Audit Scotland Report “Dealing with Offending by Young People” be noted; and
(2) the engagement of an independent specialist national agency to develop a Youth Crime Strategy for the Western Isles, the full cost being funded from the Youth Crime Review Budget, be approved.
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PERFORMANCE REVIEW
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Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12
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With reference to item 22 of the Minute of Meeting of 25 November 2003 the Acting Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning Reports Outstanding arising from decisions of the Education and Children's Services Committee.
It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted. |
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ADDITIONAL ITEM
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The Chairman ruled that the following item be considered as a matter of urgency in order that the matter could be dealt with prior to the next meeting of the Committee.
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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 or business affairs of any particular person (other than the Comhairle.
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Barra Pre-School Association – Request for Assistance |
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With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 May 2002 the Acting Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning a request for assistance from Barra Pre-School Association. |
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It was agreed to recommend that support be provided to the Barra Pre-School Association for the initial evaluation of the paperwork only. |