COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Thursday 22 March 2007 at 2.00pm

PRESENT	Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chair)
	Mrs Annie Macsween	Mr Angus Campbell
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Norman M Macleod
APOLOGIES	Mr Alex A MacDonald
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr Archie K Campbell
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Rev Andrew W F Coghill
	Mrs Annie Macdonald	Rev Calum Iain Macleod

		The Chairman addressed the Committee in relation to the achievements of the Comhairle in the field of Education and Children’s Services and also the challenges which still faced the Comhairle in this regard. He made particular reference to the challenges and frustrations of the Schools’ PPP Project. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education be authorised to make representations to the Scottish Executive seeking additional funding to compensate for inflationary increases form the date of announcement of funding to reflect the delays incurred to the Schools PPP Project by the development of the Hybrid Model which it was anticipated would be utilised by other remote authorities.
		MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of 8 February 2007	1	The Minute of Meeting of 8 February 2007 was approved.
Declaration of Interest	2	Mr John Mackay declared an interest in and left the meeting during consideration of Item 8. Mr Angus Campbell declared an interest in and left the meeting during consideration of Item 20. Mr Donald I Nicholson declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 9 and remained in the meeting.

		FINANCE
Business Plans and Budgets 2007/08 PR33.01.04	3	The Chief Executive submitted a Report seeking approval of the Business Plans for 2007/2008 and the budget for 2007/2008. It stated in the Report that the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA)/Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) Corporate Governance Framework advised that Local Authorities should maintain effective arrangements for explicit accountability to stakeholders for an authority’s performance and its effectiveness in the delivery of services and the sustainable use of resources. It was stated in the Report that the preparation of Department Business Plans and Budgets had been brought together for 2007/08 with the result that the budget now included business plans alongside the planned expenditure for any given service. It was emphasised that possible targets and action points relating to 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 had also been included in the plans. It was agreed to recommend that, insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned, the Business Plans, as amended, for 2007/08 be approved.
Social Work – 2006/07 Specialist Mainland Placements SW01	4	The Director of Social Work submitted a Report advising the Comhairle of the continuing pressures placed on Social Work Revenue budgets by the cost of Specialist Mainland Placements and advising the Comhairle of the current budgetary position relating to these specialist mainland placements for adults and children. The Report highlighted that there was a potential budget deficit of £126,000 in 2006/07 based on the current placement activity bringing Social Work expenditure in this area to £1,011,000 in the said financial year. The budget deficit had increased by £3,000 since reported at the February series and overall represented a £52,000 reduction on the first quarter monitoring forecasted figure. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the forecasted Social Work costs for specialist mainland placements, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the Report, as follows: (a) £654k for Adult Community Care; and (b) £385k for Child Care.
		GAELIC
Gaelic Online Supports for Parents E01.01.24	5	The Director of Education submitted a Report providing information to Members in relation to proposed Gaelic Online support for parents. The Report highlighted that the original prototype to provide such assistance to parents had been high maintenance and highly interactive and required more funding than the Comhairle would have been able to provide from its own resources and it had not been possible to find partners to share the costs. Officers had explored the possibility of taking this work forward with another provider but despite initial encouraging talks it had not proved possible to move forward with the original proposal. However, discussions were now taking place with Storlann with a view to entering into a partnership arrangement to enhance its new Gaelic 4 Parents web-site to provide a useful though less interactive resource for parents. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle authorise the Director of Education to enter into partnership arrangements with Storlann in relation to the provision of online support for parents.
Gaelic Policy Implementation: Response to Consultation on Carinish School E01.01.24	6	With reference to item 17 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 March 2006 the Director of Education submitted a Report to allow Members to consider the responses to the consultation exercise carried out in respect of the implementation in Carinish School in respect of Gaelic Policy. The Report stated that the consultation document at Appendix 1 to the Report had been the subject of discussion at a meeting in Carinish Hall on 25 January 2007. The proposal in the document was that from August 2007, all entrants to Primary 1 in Carinish School would be enrolled in Gaidhlig Medium education with pupils or parents wishing their children to be educated in English Medium attending Paible School as the designated area school. Pupils currently in the school whether in Gaelic or English Medium would remain in Carinish School until completion of primary 7. The Report indicated that views for and against the proposal had been put forward at the meeting and it had been agreed at the meeting that a questionnaire for parents of pupils currently in the school and parents of pre-school children would be issued to give a more comprehensive picture of parental views. The questionnaire had been issued by the School Board together with a covering document devised by the Board. These documents were appended to the Report as Appendix 3. The note of the meeting referred to above and the results of the questionnaire and further written comments were detailed in Appendix 4 to the Report. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle continue the current educational provision in Carinish School, Isle of North Uist.
		BUILDINGS
Capital Works – Programme and Progress PR33.01.12	7	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the projects affecting properties held on the Education and Children’s Services account at pre-construction and construction stages. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
		Mr John Mackay declared an interest in and left the meeting during consideration of Item 8.
Lionel Old School and Schoolhouse E02	8	With reference to item 8 of the Minute of Meeting of 31 August 2005 the Director of Education submitted a Report updating Members on the future use of Lionel Old School. The Report indicated that for some years Lionel Old School had been allocated in principle to Iomairt Nis for development purposes and that in August 2005 the Comhairle had confirmed that allocation subject to the receipt of development proposals to be reported to a future meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee. The Report further stated that Iomairt Nis had submitted initial broad proposals but that these required further development. It was hoped to place a further Report indicating the potential use of the property before the June 2007 series of meetings. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
		Mr Donald I Nicholson declared an interest in and left the meeting during consideration of Item 9. It was agreed that the public including the press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item 14 on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person other than the Comhairle would be disclosed.
Disposal of Gibson Hostel Site, Stornoway LB39.01	9	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning the disposal of the Gibson Hostel Site. It was agreed to recommend, in so far as the committee’s interests were concerned, that the whole site shown in Appendix 1 to the Report including both hatched and cross-hatched areas be offered for sale to Hebridean Housing Partnership Limited, at nil price for the construction of up to a maximum of twenty two units subject to Scottish Ministers’ consent and: (1) subject to any building development of the site being one hundred per cent social rented housing; and (2) on condition of the retention of an open ‘green space’ or amenity area, as shown in the hatched area on the plan at Appendix 1 to the Report, and on such other terms and conditions as the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director for Sustainable Communities, shall determine.
The Rectory, Goathill Crescent, Stornoway LB06	10	The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking Members’ approval of the disposal of the Nicolson Institute Rectory on the open market. The Report indicated that 1 Goathill Crescent, Stornoway (also known as “the Rectory”) was a residential property on the Education and Children’s Services account which had previously been rented to Rectors of the Nicolson Institute. The report further stated that the current tenant would be vacating the property in the near future on the conclusion of his employment with the Comhairle and it was considered no longer appropriate to associate the property with the school and with the position of rector. As the property was residential it was not intended to retain the building as part of the Nicolson campus and it was therefore proposed that the property be advertised for sale on the open market. It was agreed to recommend that : (1) the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director of Education, be authorised to advertise 1 Goathill Crescent (the Nicolson Rectory) for sale on the open market; (2) the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director of Education, be authorised to engage estate agents to assist in the sale; and (3) offers received be required to state the proposed use as well as price and be referred back to the Comhairle.
		PPP PROJECT
Schools PPP Project – Update E01.02.15	11	With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 8 February 2007 the Director of Education submitted a Report updating Members in relation to the progress of the PPP Project. The Report indicated that further dialogue meetings had been arranged with each of the PSDP candidates and that a review had taken place of the anticipated resource requirements which had indicated that additional resources would be required and these resource implications would be reported and discussed in detail at the Project Board. The Report further stated that a design phase plan had been drafted for approval by the Project Board and meetings had taken place with Advisers to prepare for commencement of the procurement of the Design Team. An internal review of the project in place of a formal key stage review was also being carried out and would be concluded before the appointment of the PSDP. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
Schools PPP Project – Re-development of Nicolson Institute Campus E01.02.15	12	With reference to Item 9 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 2006 the Director of Education submitted a Report updating Members in relation to progress in relation to the Nicolson Institute Campus. The Report indicated that it remained the intention to divert the pedestrian right of way that currently existed through the Nicolson Institute Campus so that the site for the redeveloped Nicolson Institute would encompass part of Springfield Road. Proposals in relation to the right of way would form part of the design phase of the project and any planning application would require to show a proposed alternative route for the pedestrian right of way. It was not anticipated that this matter could be progressed until a design team was be appointed which was anticipated to take place towards the end of 2007. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
		STAFFING
Staffing at Primary Schools: Review of Formula E06	13	The Director of Education submitted a Report informing Members of proposed changes to the formula applied for calculating primary school staffing and seeking approval of implementation of that formula with effect from the 2007/08 session. The Report indicated that schools were staffed in accordance with formula guidance issued by the Scottish Executive Education Department with some local variations applied to meet particular circumstances in the Western Isles. Following implementation of the national McCrone Agreement recommendations together with changes arising from the implementation of the Inclusion Policy it was considered necessary to review the current formula for primary staffing to take account of these amendments. The Report sought authority to implement the revised formula which was outlined in the Report with effect from session 2007/08 and indicated that there were no financial implications involved in the implementation of the revised formula. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the revised formula as outlined in the Report and agree to its implementation with effect from session 2007/08.
		PRE-SCHOOL
		It was agreed that the public including the press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item 14 on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 namely Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person other than the Comhairle would be disclosed.
Service Level Agreement for the Direct Management of Little Teddies Nursery by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar E01.02.06	14	The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking approval of a draft Service Level Agreement outlining the terms in which it was anticipated that the Comhairle would provide services at Little Teddies Nursery, Stornoway. The Report stated that Little Teddies Nursery provided pre-school education and childcare. Forty one places were available at the nursery and priority was given to NHS Western Isles and Comhairle staff. The Report further indicated that the Comhairle had a statutory obligation to provide pre-school education and Little Teddies provided twenty one pre-school education places both in the morning and the afternoon. It was the largest pre-school/child care provided in the Western Isles with over one hundred children registered to attend. To ensure continuity of service it was proposed that the Comhairle work in partnership with NHS Western Isles to safeguard this valuable facility. A draft Service Level Agreement was appended to the Report. The Report stated that it was anticipated that further consultation with NHS Western Isles would take place prior to the final version being agreed. The Service Level Agreement proposed that the Comhairle and NHS Western Isles would be jointly responsible for any deficit funding required to ensure continuity of service.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle: (1) approve in principle the draft SLA appended to the Report; (2) authorise the Director of Education and Director of Finance in consultation with officers from NHS Western Isles to make changes and additions to the SLA as appropriate; (3) delegate authority to the Chief Executive, Director of Education and the Director of Corporate Services to negotiate the terms on which the Comhairle would take over the management of staff at Little Teddies Nursery; and (4) agree to continue the current management arrangements in the meantime.
Stornoway Primary Garden Project E01.02.06	15	The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking approval for the development of a play area for pre-school children and children with additional support needs attending Stornoway Primary School. The Report indicated that the latest HMIE Inspection of the School in January 2005 had recommended that a dedicated enclosed outdoor play area for nursery children be developed and it was proposed that this development take place prior to its becoming a requirement as was anticipated at the next inspection. The Report indicated that funding to allow the ground development including safety matting and tarmac, planting, security fencing and three pieces of play equipment could be provided from Childcare Strategy Funding and that it was proposed that the School PTA would fundraise for any additional equipment. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the use of £50,000 of Childcare Strategy Funding held in balances for this project.

		EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
Integrated Children’s Services Plan 2005-2008 E01	16	The Director of Education and Director of Social Work submitted a joint Report updating Members in relation to revisions which had been made to the Integrated Children’s Services Plan following feedback from the Scottish Executive. The Report stated that the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 required each local authority to prepare a Children’s Services Plan and that the plan had been submitted to the Comhairle and Scottish Executive in June 2005. Feedback had been received on the structure and content of the plan in February 2006 which had been used to revise the format and content of the plan which would provide a base line for service provision and developments. The Report further indicated that it was proposed to develop short life working groups to review the existing plan and to take forward the seven themes of the plan being the key principles of ensuring that children and young people were valued by ensuring that they were safe; nurtured; healthy; achieving; active; respected and responsible and included. These seven key principles would be taken forward in preparation for the 2008-12 planning period. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the Plan as a basis for evaluating progress and authorise the Director of Education to initiate the required review in preparation for the development of the 2008 - 2011 Plan.
Alternative Curriculum Education (A.C.E.) Project Progress Report E01	17	The Director of Education submitted a Report providing a progress report in relation to the Alternative Curriculum Education (A.C.E.) Programme. The Report indicated that A.C.E. provided an alternative to residential provision for those young people with the most complex lives who were disaffected or disengaged from school. It enabled them to remain in their home and community environment and provided significant opportunities for therapeutic support and a route into education, employment and training for those most at risk. The Report indicated that the programme targeted the most vulnerable young people by responding to their needs and by being flexible in service delivery. A pilot programme had operated between December 2002 and June 2003 at which time the programme had been established on a permanent basis and subject to external evaluation. The Report concluded that A.C.E had provided a significant alternative to residential provision providing meaningful access to employment and training for young people. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
		RELATED MATTERS
Scheme of School Attendance E07	18	The Director of Education submitted a Report outlining the arrangements which resulted in the construction of the calendar for the school year. The Report indicated that the Comhairle was required to submit its scheme of school attendance to the Scottish Executive two sessions in advance. The Scheme of School Attendance to 2007/08 and for 2008/09 were appended to the Report. It was noted in the Report that the 2007/08 scheme had already been submitted and that he 2008/09 scheme was currently in draft form. The Report further indicated that the scheme was the subject of consultation with the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the arrangements which were in place for the division of the annual scheme of school attendance.
Road Safety – 20mph Speed Limits at Schools T05.14	19	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing progress with the introduction of 20mph speed limits at Schools. It was stated in the Report that as at 31 March 2007 there would only be nine schools within the Western Isles without 20mph speed limits and that these remaining nine schools would have 20mph speed limits introduced during the 2007/2008 financial year when the next tranche of Scottish Executive funding for this purpose was received. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted
		Mr Angus Campbell declared an interest in and left the meeting during consideration of item 20.
Nicolson Institute Catering Facilities E02.27	20	With reference to Item 5 of the Minute of Meeting of 4 October 2006 the Director of Education submitted a Report updating Members in relation to progress in improving pupil catering facilities at the Nicolson Institute, Stornoway. The Report indicated that improved dining facilitates at the Nicolson Institute would be developed as part of the new Nicolson Institute Building within the Comhairle’s PPP Project. It was clear, however, that the existing canteen and other facilities were not adequate to meet the current needs of a school with over 1,000 pupils and the Education Department and the school were taking a number of interim steps to improve facilities for pupils. These Report indicated that these steps included: (1) the purchase of additional specialised dining furniture to allow more flexible use of the Nicolson Assembly Hall for eating packed lunches or sandwiches, (2) the development of servery facilities in the sixth form social area to provide (for example) sandwiches and soup to fifth and sixth year pupils; and (3) and enhancement of refrigerated automatic vending machines for healthy snacks including replacement of previously vandalised machines. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
Sports Facility Projects AL06.01.58	21	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the involvement of all stakeholders with an interest in the development of sports facilities. It was intimated that it was proposed to invite the undernoted organisations to consider submitting a proposal: (a) Clubs and organisations affiliated to the local sports councils; (b) Comhairle Sports Facilities; (c) Schools and Pre-School Facilities; (d) Community Centres And Halls; (e) Community Councils; (f) Outdoor Centres; and (g) The Outdoor Forum.
		The Report further indicated that it was proposed to score project proposals using the matrix detailed at Appendix B to the Report, on the basis that the scoring process would be delegated to the Director for Sustainable Communities. The Report also outlined the proposed timescale for the consultation exercise, referred to in the Report, as follows: 2007 March Comhairle consideration of the proposed consultation 2007 April Consultation launched on the basis of the Comhairle's decision; 2007 May/June Projects developed and proposals compiled; 2007 July Projects scored and priority projects identified; 2007 August Findings of the consultation submitted to the Comhairle for consideration. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the development of a portfolio of projects for consideration by the Comhairle at a future series of meetings on the basis of consultation with key stakeholders as detailed in section 5.3 of the Report and utilising the templates as detailed in Appendices A and B to the Report.
		PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Reports Outstanding – Progress PR33.01.12	22	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Reports outstanding in relation to the Education and Children’s Services Committee. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.