Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 22 March 2006 at 11.00am
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Prayer
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The Meeting
was opened with prayer by Rev Dr Iain D Campbell.
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MINUTES
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Minute of
Meeting of 1 February 2006
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1
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The Minute of
Meeting of 1 February 2006 was approved.
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Declaration of Interest
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2
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Mr Norman L Macdonald declared an
interest and left the meeting during consideration of item 14.
Mr Angus
Campbell declared an interest in item 8 and the Additional Item.
Mr Norman A
Macdonald declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of
item 8.
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BUSINESS
PLANS
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Business
Plans 2006/07 – 2008/09
PR33.01.04
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3
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The Chief
Executive submitted a Report seeking approval of the Business plans for
2006/07 – 2008/09. it was stated in the Report that the Chartered Institute
of Public Finance (CIPFA)/Society of Local Authority Chief Executive’s
(Solas) Corporate Governance Framework advised that local authorities should
maintain effective arrangements for explicate accountability to stakeholders
for the authorities performance and its effectiveness in the delivery of
services and suitable use of sources.
The Director
of Education submitted a Report seeking approval of the draft business plan
for 2006 – 09 which contained the Local Improvement Objectives for 2006/07.
The Report indicated that Education Authorities were required to publish
information aimed at schools and their quality improvement targets rather
than the Departmental or heads of service approach adopted by the Comhairle.
The draft business plan 2006 – 09 was enclosed as an Appendix to the Report.
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It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
approve the Business Plan for the
Education and Children’s Services Committee contained in Appendix 1 of the
Report by the Chief Executive; and
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(2)
prior to issue to schools, approve the
development priorities listed in the Department of Education Business Plan
for 2006-09, and in particular the Local Improvement Objectives for 2006-07.
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BUILDINGS
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Capital Works: Programme and
Progress
PR33.01.12
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4
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With reference
to item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2006 the Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report concerning programme and progress in
respect of the properties held on the Education and Children’s Services
account.
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Report be noted; and
(2)
a Report be submitted by the Director
of Technical Services regarding unfinished work on school buildings and
recommending options for solutions to the current problems with contractors
not finishing work on time, with particular reference to keeping a larger
percentage of the total cost of the work as the final payment.
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Repairs
and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 2005/2006: Quarterly Expenditure Report
to 3 February 2006
PR33.01.12
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5
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With reference
to item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of 26 October 2005 the Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report detailing expenditure on repairs and
maintenance of properties held on the Education and Children’s Services
account in the current financial year to 3 February 2006.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the Report and note that further
Reports on the repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education
Account will continue to be placed before the Education and Children’s
Services Committee at quarterly intervals.
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PPP
Update
E01
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6
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With reference
to item 7 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2006 the Director of
Education submitted a Report concerning the latest developments in relation
to the Comhairle's PPP proposals. A summary of current progress was outlined
in the Report.
It was
agreed to recommend:
(1) that
the Report be noted; and
(2) that the Chief Executive, in consultation
with the Director of Education, be authorised to enter into negotiation with
the owners of the proposed sites for the West Side Primary and the new
Balivanich Primary and to acquire those sites for the Comhairle at a price to
be approved by the District Valuer and on such other terms and conditions as
the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Chief Executive
and the Director of Education shall determine.
Arising out
of this item it was agreed that a Report be submitted by the Director of
Technical Services to the next meeting on the condition of Aird School with particular regard to Health and Safety issues.
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Leverburgh
Enhancement Group: Request for Lease of Leverhulme Memorial School Playing Field
AL02
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7
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The Director of
Education submitted a Report proposing that an “in principle” decision be
taken to lease the Leverhulme Memorial School playing field to the Leverburgh
Enhancement Group, to enable them to develop this facility for school and
community use. A letter of 22 February 2006 from the Leverburgh Enhancement
Group was appended to the Report.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agree, in principle, to lease the
Leverhulme Memorial School Playing Field to the Leverburgh Enhancement Group
subject to a satisfactory funding package being in place and on terms to be
determined by the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the
Director of Education, including the provision that the facility will be
available for school use at no cost.
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Mr Angus
Campbell and Mr Norman A Macdonald declared an interest and left the meeting
during consideration of item 8.
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Sandwick
Community Hall: Transfer to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
E02
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8
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The Director
of Education submitted a Report seeking approval for the transfer to
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar of Sandwick Community Hall, with the Hall to be
held on the Education and Children’s Services account and incorporated into Sandwick School. Details of the proposal were given in the Report.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
agree to acquire Sandwick Community
Hall from the Sandwick Hall and Recreation Committee for no consideration
with the property being held on the Education and Children’s Services
account;
(2)
approve the allocation of £150k funding
from the Scottish Executive Schools Fund to allow further work on the Hall
for community use;
(3)
agree that the Comhairle’s existing
School Lets Policy be applied to any use of the Hall by the community; and
(4)
that in future such requests, which are
made on a similar basis, be considered by the Comhairle, on a case by case
basis.
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Asset
Management Planning
LB06
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9
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With reference
to item 5 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2006 the Director of Education
Services submitted a Report concerning the asset management process and
giving information on the current progress on this matter.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
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EDUCATIONAL
PROVISION
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Pre-school
Funding 2006/2007
E01.02.06
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10
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With reference
to item 9 of the Minute of Meeting of 20 April 2005 the Director of Education
submitted a Report seeking approval of the proposed pre-school commissioned
place rate for 2006/07, and advising on the continuation of existing
arrangements for other pre-school support.
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Comhairle approve a rate per fully
commissioned pre-school place (including for 3 year olds) of £1321 for the
2006/07 pre-school year; and
(2)
the Comhairle note the continuation of
other support arrangements for pre-school groups during 2006/07.
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Review of
Secondary Education Provision: Working Group Interim Report
E01
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11
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With reference
to item 13 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 2005 the Director of Education
submitted a Report concerning matters being examined by the S1/S2
Member/Officer Working Group and making recommendations which were
appropriate at this stage. The Report gave information on the national
qualifications relevant to the matter and outlined interim proposals on the
way forward.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
approve the Working Group’s proposals that the
Department explore the potential for the transfer, with effect from June
2007, of all S2 pupils to S3 at the beginning of June each year;
(2)
approve the Working Group’s proposal that the
Member/Officer Working Group continues its work but does not make final
recommendations in respect of structures until the National Review Group on
Secondary Education has delivered its Report and this is implemented by the
Scottish Executive; and
(3)
authorise the Director of Education to
establish the extent of parental demand and submit a further Report to the
next series on the Working Group’s proposal that all primary pupils can, if
they desire, progress directly to six- year catchment school without having
to incur transport costs.
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Report by
HM Inspectorate of Education: Sgoil nan Loch, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – 24
January 2006
E01.01.11
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12
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The Director
of Education submitted a Report concerning the result of the Inspection of
Sgoil nan Loch by Her Majesties Inspectorate of Education (HMIe). The Report
by HMIe dated 24 January 2006 was included as an appendix to the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted.
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Report by
HM Inspectorate of Education: Lochmaddy Primary School, Comhairle nan Eilean
Siar – 14 February 2006
E01.01.11
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13
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The Director
of Education submitted a Report concerning the result of the Inspection of
Lochmaddy Primary School by Her Majesties Inspectorate of Education (HMIe).
The Report by HMIe dated 14 February 2006 was included as an appendix to the
Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted.
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Mr
Norman L Macdonald declared an interest and left the meeting during
consideration of item 14.
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Review of
Catchment Areas: Stornoway Primary School and Laxdale Primary School
E01
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14
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With
reference to item 17 of the Minute of Meeting of 26 October 2005 the Director
of Education submitted a Report concerning the result of consultation on the
common boundary of the catchment areas for Stornoway and Laxdale Primary
Schools and inviting the Committee to delineate the catchment areas for both
schools on the basis of the information circulated to parents, schools board
and other interested parties and in the light of discussions arising from the
consultation meetings and of the written responses received in connection
with the proposal.
It was agreed to recommend that, with
effect from August 2007, the boundary line which divides the catchment area
for Stornoway Primary School from that of Laxdale Primary School be confirmed
as the HS1 postcode line, as drawn on the map which forms an appendix to the
consultation document, subject to transport being available at a cost to
parents.
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Statutory
Consultation on Proposed Change of Location: Balivanich Primary School
E02
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15
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With reference
to item 16 of the Minute of Meeting of 7 December 2005 the Director of
Education submitted a Report concerning statutory consultations undertaken on
a proposed change of location of Balivanich Primary School. The consultation
paper issued was appended to the Report and the Report of a public meeting
held in the School was circulated to the Committee.
The Committee
was asked to consider the possible change of location of Balivanich Primary School on the basis of information circulated to the parents, schools boards
and other interests parties in the light of representations made at the
consultation meeting in connection with the proposed change of location of
the schools.
It was agreed to recommend that the Balivanich Primary School be relocated from its current location to a new building to be
constructed on a site at Tindill Close, Balivanich, as shown on the appendix
to the consultation document, subject to successful negotiations to purchase
the site.
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Statutory
Consultation on Proposed Change of Location: West Side School
E02
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16
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With reference
to item 15 of the Minute of Meeting of 7 December 2005 the Director of
Education submitted a Report concerning statutory consultations undertaken on
a proposed change of location West Side School. The consultation paper
issued was appended to the Report and the Report of a public meeting held in
the School was circulated to the Committee.
The Committee
was asked to consider the possible change of location of West Side School on the basis of information circulated to the parents, schools boards and
other interests parties in the light of representations made at the
consultation meeting in connection with the proposed change of location of
the schools.
It was agreed to recommend that the proposed
new Westside School be located at the Barvas Hall site as identified in
Appendix B of the consultation document.
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Gaelic
Policy Implementation – Pilot Phase: Response to Consultation
E01.01.24
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17
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With reference
to item 14 of the Minute of Meeting of 7 December 2005 the Director of
Education submitted a Report concerning statutory consultations undertaken,
proposals for the pilot phase of implementation of the Comhairle's Gaelic
Policy. The consultation papers issued were appended to the Report. Reports
of the three public meetings at Breasclete, Stoneybridge and Carinish Schools were circulated to the Committee.
The Committee
was asked to consider the implementation of the Comhairle's Gaelic Policy as
a pilot phase on the basis of the information circulated to parents, schools
boards and other interested parties in the light of representations made at
the consultation meetings in connection with the proposal to implement the
Comhairle's Gaelic Policy as a pilot phase.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle agree:
(1)
to the submission of a request to Scottish
Ministers that the education provision in Stoneybridge School as from August
2006 be principally through the medium of Gaelic in P1 and P2, with
incremental introduction of English thereafter; and
(2)
that the Director of Education be authorised
to consult in the catchment of Carinish, Lochmaddy and Paible in respect of
an all Gaelic Medium Primary School at Carinish, from August 2007 with the
retention of the current provision for Gaelic at both Paible School and
Lochmaddy Primary School.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of item 18 below on the grounds that exempt information as
defined in Paragraphs 1, 6 and 9 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 and employee of,
or a particular office holder, or former office holder, or applicant to
become an office holder under the Comhairle; 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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Proposal for Comhairle nan Eilean
Siar to Bring Point Community Pre-school under the Direct Management of the
Comhairle
E01.02.06
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18
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The Director
of Education submitted a Report concerning approval for the Director of
Education to bring the management of Point Community Pre-school under the
direct management of the Comhairle. The background to the matter was
outlined in the Report together with details of the current situation of Point Community Pre-school, The financial implications were outlined in the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Comhairle approve in principle that Point Community Pre-School be taken under the direct management of the Comhairle; and
(2)
subject to the approval of the above
recommendation, the Comhairle delegate authority to the Director of Education
and the Director of Corporate Services to negotiate an agreement with Point
Community Pre-school in terms of which the Comhairle would take over the
management of the playgroup.
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Transfer of
Hairdressing Tuition Facilities to Lews Castle College
E01
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19
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The Director
of Education submitted a Report concerning the proposed transfer of
hairdressing tuition facilities from the Comhairle to Lews Castle School. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report together with details
of the proposed transfer.
It was agreed
to recommend that the hairdressing tuition facilities, currently located at
the Nicolson Institute be transferred to Lews Castle College.
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RELATED
MATTERS
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Revised
Policy for Payment of Discretionary Travel Expenses for Pupils
E05.01
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20
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The Director
of Education submitted a Report concerning a new Policy for the payment of
discretionary travel expenses for pupils. The background to the matter was
outlined in the Report and a draft Pupil Travel Expenses Policy was appended
to the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle approve the proposed policy for reimbursement of travel expenses to
Western Isles school pupils as detailed in Appendix 1 to the Report.
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Parental
Involvement: Consultation on Head Teacher and Depute Head Teacher
Appointment Procedures
M01.10
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21
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The Director
of Education submitted a Report concerning action taken by the Director of
Education in submitted a response to the on the consultation document on the
Parental Involvement: Consultation on Head Teacher and Depute Head Teacher
Appointment Procedures. The deadline for submissions had been 28 February
2006. The comments submitted were appended to the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle homologate the actions of the Director of Education in submitting
the response to the consultation to SEED.
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Road Safety –
20mph Speed Limits at Schools
T08.05.06
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22
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With reference
to item 16 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2006 the Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to progress with the
installation of 20mph speed limits throughout the Western Isles. Details of
progress with each of the 18 schools involved were given in the Report.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
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CHILDREN’S
SERVICES
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Implementation
of National Standards for Youth Justice
SW06
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23
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The Director
of Social Work and the Director of Education submitted a joint Report
concerning the national developments following publication of the Scottish
Executive’s National Standards for Youth Justice in Scotland (2002) and of progress made in implementing National Standards locally on
outstanding matters. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report
together with an outline of future prospects for Youth Justice in Scotland.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle:
(1)
note the national development relating to
youth justice; progress made in implementing these National Standards
locally; and matters still outstanding; and
(2)
note that the Western Isles Youth Justice
Strategic Plan 2006-2008 would be presented to the Comhairle for
consideration and approval in August 2006.
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Development
of Fostering and Adoption Services in the Western Isles
SW02.03
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24
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The Director
of Social Work submitted a Report concerning the development of fostering and
adoption services in the Western Isles and seeking approval to appoint an
independent Chairperson to the Chair of the Comhairle's Fostering and
Adoption Panels. The background to the matter was detailed together with the
proposed appointment of an independent Chairperson for the Fostering and
Adoption Panels.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle:
(1)
note the local and national issues surrounding
the development of Fostering and Adoption Services; and
(2)
approve the appointment of an Independent
Chairperson for our Fostering and Adoption Panels, provided under a Service
Level Agreement by BAAF (British Association for Adoption and Fostering); and
(3)
homologate the actions of the Director of
Social Work in allocation the funding for 2005/06 and agree the allocation
for 2006/07 and 2007/08 all as described in paragraph 5.4 of the Report.
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Implementation
of National Development in Child Protection
SW02
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25
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With reference
to item 21 of the Minute of Meeting of 26 October 2005 the Director of Social
Work and the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning progress in
the Western Isles in relation to Protecting Children and Young People:
Framework for Standards and the Self Evaluation of Child Protection Audit.
The background to the matter was outlined in the Report together with details
of work undertaken locally.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted.
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Social Work
Services Performance Inspection
SW01
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26
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The Director
of Social Work submitted a Report concerning the performance inspection of
the Comhairle's Social Work Services being undertaken in 2006 by the Social
Work Inspection Agency (SWIA). The background to the matter was outlined in
the Report.
Representatives
from the Social Work Inspection Agency, Mr John Waterhouse, Lead Inspector
and Gill Ottley, Depute Chief Inspector gave a presentation on the work of
the Agency, including their inspection in the Western Isles and Members were
afforded the opportunity to ask questions on the presentation.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle note the terms of the Social Work Performance Inspection for the
Western Isles.
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It was agreed that the public, including the
press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 27 below 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 and 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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Department of
Education Structures: Quality Improvement Team
E01
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27
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The Director
of Education submitted a Report concerning the establishment of a Quality
Improvement Team in line with the Improvement Agenda, this being now a
statutory requirement. The background to the matter was outlined together
with details of the role of Quality Improvement Officers.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle approve the formation of a new team of Quality Improvement officers
subject to consultation with existing staff and, subsequently, proposals for
establishment of posts being considered by the Human Resources Sub-Committee.
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PERFORMANCE
REVIEW
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Reports
Outstanding: Progress
PR33.01.12
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28
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With reference
to item 17 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2006 the Director of Corporate
Services submitted a Report concerning the Reports outstanding arising from
decisions of the Committee.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the Report.
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ADDITIONAL
ITEM
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The Schools
Fund Programme 2006/07
E01
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29
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The Director
of Education submitted a Report seeking approval of the programme of capital
works to be funded by the Schools Fund in 2006/07. The proposed composite
programme supplements were detailed in an Appendix to the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle approve the planned Schools Fund Expenditure for 2006/07 and the
composite programme supplements detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report.
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