COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 21 April 2004 at 11.00am

PRESENT	Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Alex A Macdonald
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mrs Annie MacDonald
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Mr Archie K Campbell
	Mr Angus Campbell	Rev Andrew W F Coghill
	Mr Donald I Nicholson	Rev Dr Iain D Campbell
	Mr Norman M Macleod	Rev David Campbell

Welcome:  Rev David Campbell		The Chairman welcomed Rev David Campbell, the Free Presbyterian Church’s nominee as representative of religious interests to his first meeting of the Committee.
Tribute:  Back School		The Chairman referred to Back School, who had recently completed their link with the International Space Station on Wednesday 17 March 2004.  The contact was established with the help of Carlos Eavis and Graham Shirville of ARISS who travelled to the island.  Pupils, parents and friends of the school gathered in the hall to hear Michael Foale, the Mission Commander, answer questions posed by pupils. The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated all those involved in this historic link up with the International Space Station.
Tribute:  Alasdair Dunlop		The Chairman referred to Mr Alasdair Dunlop, who had recently been crowned World Champion in the 800 metres at the Veteran Indoor Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.  The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Mr Dunlop on this achievement.
Tribute:  Barra Schoolchildren, Book of Poetry		The Chairman referred to a group of 4 schoolchildren from Barra who had brought out a book of poetry, which had been launched in Barra the previous evening. The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated the schoolchildren for showing such initiative.
Tribute:  Nicolson Institute Under 18 Senior Football Team		The Chairman referred to the Nicolson Institute Senior Boys School Football Team on their success in reaching the final of the Scottish Under 18s Final.  The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated the Nicolson Institute Senior Boys Football Team on their achievement and wished them every success in the final.
Tribute:  Lionel School		The Chairman referred to Lionel School who won the North of Scotland Badminton Final.  The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Lionel School on this achievement.
Prayer		The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Rev Dr Iain D Campbell.
		MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of 3 February 2004	1	The Minute of Meeting of 3 February 2004 was approved.
Minutes of Meetings of School Board Appointments Committees of 8 January 2004 and 10 February 2004	2	The Minutes of Meetings of School Board Appointments Committees of 8 January 2004 and 10 February 2004 were approved.
		CONSTITUTION
Appointment of Representative of Religious Interests E07	3	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning the resignation and nomination of the representatives of religious interests nominated by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.  It was indicated in the Report that the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland had intimated the resignation of Rev John Macleod and the nomination of Rev David Campbell, North Tolsta, to serve in Rev Macleod’s place. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the resignation of Rev John Macleod be noted; and (2)           the nomination of Rev David Campbell as a representative of religious interests on the Education and Children’s Services Committee be approved.
		FINANCE
Education and Children’s Services Committee:  Capital Expenditure Programme 2004 – 2008 PR110.01	4	The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking approval for Education and Children’s Services projects within the context of the Comhairle’s Capital Expenditure Programme 2004 – 2008, which will permit work to be undertaken in schools during the summer months.  The relevant Project Evaluation Report and the allocation for each project was detailed in the Appendix to the Report. It was agreed to recommend approval of the items in the Project Section of the Report, subject to the adjustment outlined at the meeting, namely, that R-ED9 be re-titled Schools Capital Renovations Programme to reflect the combination of the Capital Renovations Programme for Rural Secondaries with the remaining £916k of Scottish Executive Schools Fund to form a consolidated grouping for prioritisation within the Schools Asset Management framework.
		CORPORATE STRATEGY
Corporate Strategy 2001-3 Outstanding Key Tasks PR11.40	5	The Chief Executive submitted a Report seeking approval of the recommendations relating to the outstanding key tasks included in the Corporate Strategy 2001-3.  Recommendations for further action and recommendations for outstanding key aims were appended to the Report. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted, insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned.
		BUILDINGS
Capital Works:  Programme and Progress E02	6	With reference to item 23 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 February 2004 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing programme and progress on properties held on the Education and Children’s Services account. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
		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.
Sale of Aird Old Schoolhouse E02.09	7	With reference to item 12 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 June 2003 the Director of Education and the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Joint Report detailing the offers received following advertisement of Aird Old Schoolhouse on the open market.  It was indicated in the Report that seven offers had been received.  Summaries of the offer received were detailed in the Report and copies of the offers were appended to the Report. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) offer number 1 as detailed in the Report be accepted; and (2)           given that the Comhairle had agreed priorities for capital spending, any receipt from the sale of Aird Schoolhouse be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee within the context of the Capital Programme.
Aird School:  Expression of Interest for Future Takeover by Tiumpanhead Community Association E02.09	8	The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking an in principle decision to transfer the ownership of Aird School to Tiumpanhead Community Association once the school closed.  A letter from Tiumpanhead Community Association was appended to the Report. It was agreed to recommend that an in principle decision be taken to transfer Aird School to the ownership of Tiumpanhead Community Association once the building became surplus to the Comhairle's requirements.
School Office Upgrading E02	9	The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning a proposal to upgrade School Office accommodation for schools with increased staffing levels due to McCrone Report implementation.  It was indicated in the Report that under local McCrone agreements, additional support staff had been appointed in the majority of schools and school office accommodation, therefore, required upgrading to reflect the additional staffing provision. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the specific carry-forward of £90,000 from centrally held Education resources into the 2004/05 financial year to facilitate minor upgrades to school offices be approved; and (2)           the introduction of a school office upgrading programme as an integral part of the estate management strategy and school development plans be approved.
Coastal Erosion at Lionacleit E02	10	With reference to item 5 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 March 2003 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report which gave an update on the extent of coastal erosion along the coast line south and east of Lionacleit School. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted. Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services submit a Report in relation to coastal erosion at Seilebost, Isle of Harris to the next meeting of the Committee in June 2004.
		CHILDREN’S SERVICES
Western Isles Childcare Partnership:  Audit Report SW02	11	With reference to item 17 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 2001 the Director of Education submitted a Report which gave an update on the outcome of the Western Isles Childcare Partnership Audit of Childcare Services in the Western Isles.  A summary of the audit results were detailed in the Report. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001:  Regulation of Adoption and Fostering Services SW02	12	With reference to item 5 of the Minute of Meeting of the Social Work Committee of 3 October 2002 the Director of Social Work submitted a Report which described the proposals for the regulation of Adoption and Fostering Services in Scotland with the introduction of new subordinate legislation to be made under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and outlined the implications for the service in the Western Isles. It was agreed to recommend that the impending registration of Adoption and Fostering services in the Western Isles, in particular the need to apply for registration and the inspection and National Standards framework which the Care Commission would subsequently implement, be noted. Arising out of consideration of this matter it was agreed to recommend that a Report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee in June 2004, giving details of budget lines in relation to Education and Children’s Services budgets.
Support and Assistance of Young People Leaving Care (Scotland) Regulations 2003 SW02	13	The Director of Social Work submitted a Report seeking approval for the throughcare and aftercare policy and procedures being proposed to implement the support and assessment of Young People Leaving Care (Scotland) Regulations 2003 in the Western Isles.  Details of the financial provision made by the Scottish Executive in support of these changes and resource implications for the Comhairle were outlined the Report. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the proposed arrangements for assessment, payment levels, payment arrangements and appeals be approved; and (2) the adoption of the Pathways materials as developed by Barnardo’s for the Scottish Executive be endorsed. Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that the Director of Social Work would circulate the summary of the Pathways material to all Members.
Integrated Children’s Services:  Proposal to Establish a Best Value Review SW02	14	The Director of Education and the Director of Social Work submitted a Joint Report concerning a proposed Best Value Review in relation to Integrated Children’s Services.  It was indicated in the Report that the Review was being undertaken in order to ensure support service identify, target, resource and intervene to support young people in the most effective way.  Details of current departmental structures relating to Housing, Education and Social Work in all other Scottish Local Authorities was appended to the Report. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
		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 1 and 5 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 and Information relating to the adoption, care, fostering or education of any particular child or relating to the supervision or residence of any particular child in accordance with the supervision requirement made in respect of that child under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.
Child Protection and Inclusion:  Temporary Programme SW02	15	With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 6 February 2003 the Director of Education submitted a Report detailing a temporary programme of intervention that had been necessary due to a combination of recent events.  It was indicated in the Report that it was necessary to appoint an Inclusion Manager and to provide a small budget for sessional work in order to ensure that young people were given the necessary support. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
		EDUCATIONAL POLICY
Draft Integrated Early Years Policy:  Consultation Response E01	16	The Director of Education submitted a Report giving details of how the consultation process on the Draft Integrated Early Years Policy had been undertaken and the response to the consultation.  It was indicated in the Report that the consultation process confirmed that support was required for the proposed framework and the establishment of a strategic management group to manage the change process and that more detailed work required to be done with providers and parents and that all decisions regarding the provision would require to be approved by the Comhairle. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Report be noted; (2)           the good work being done by Officers in relation to the Draft Integrated Early Years Policy be noted; (3)           a Strategic Member/Officer Working Group, be established to oversee the Draft Integrated Early Years Policy, the Inclusion Policy and the Integrated Community Schools Policy; (4)           Officer Working Groups comprising Officers from within the Department of Education and, key stakeholders, be established, as necessary, to progress this matter; and (5)           the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Mr Ian M Macleod be nominated to serve on the Strategic Member/Officer Working Group detailed at paragraph (3) above.
Policy on Flexibility in the Curriculum:  Consultation Document E01	17	The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking approval of the Consultation Document on Flexibility in the Curriculum, which was appended to the Report.  The Report indicated that the draft policy incorporated current good practice and provided guidelines which would facilitate further development.  The draft policy would be the subject of consultation with teaching staff, parents, pupils and employers and it was expected that the policy would be operational in session 2004/05. It was agreed to recommend that the contents of the draft policy be approved as a basis for consultation.
Department of Education Inclusion Policy:  Consultation Responses E01	18	With reference to item 12 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 February 2004 the Director of Education submitted a Report detailing how the consultation process on the Inclusion Policy had been undertaken and the response to the consultation.  The Report indicated that a significant sample of staff views had been obtained and, although more work required to be done to develop the detail of the proposal, staff had indicated that they were in favour of change in the direction outlined in the draft policy. It was agreed to recommend that: (1)        the report be noted; (2)        the good work being done by Officers in relation to the Draft Inclusion Policy be noted; (3)        a Strategic Member/Officer Working Group, be established to oversee the Draft Integrated Early Years Policy, the Inclusion Policy and the Integrated Community Schools Policy; (4)        Officer Working Groups comprising Officers from within the Department of Education and, key stakeholders, be established, as necessary, to progress this matter; and (5)        the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Mr Ian M Macleod be nominated to serve on the Strategic Member/Officer Working Group detailed in paragraph (3) above.
Integrated Community Schools:  A Policy Framework E01	19	The Director of Education submitted a Report giving details of how it was proposed to develop the Integrated Community Schools’ initiative in the Western Isles.  It was indicated in the Report that it was proposed to integrate Community Schools within the inclusion agenda of the Education Department and focus its remit on the areas of achievement through support and direct funding of activities to schools.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1)        the report be noted; (2)        the good work being done by Officers in relation to the Integrated Community Schools Policy Framework be noted; (3)        a Strategic Member/Officer Working Group, be established to oversee the Draft Integrated Early Years Policy, the Inclusion Policy and the Integrated Community Schools Policy; (4)        Officer Working Groups comprising Officers from within the Department of Education and, key stakeholders, be established, as necessary, to progress this matter; and (5) the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Mr Ian M Macleod be nominated to serve on the Strategic Member/Officer Working Group detailed in paragraph (3) above.
		EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
		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 9 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely 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.
Best Value Review of S1/S2 Provision E01	20	The Director of Education submitted a Report proposing arrangements for the production of a Best Value Review for S1/S2 provision.  It was explained in the Report that the Best Value Review of S1/S2 provision required to be carried out in the near future and the Report proposed that external educational advisers be commissioned to carry out the review. It was agreed to recommend that expressions of interest be sought by public advertisement from external educational advisers to tender for the commission to carry out a survey of S1/2 provision and to advise the Authority on a Best Value context in accordance with the direction from HMIE to carry out such a review and that tenders be subsequently invited.
Revised Scheme of Devolved Schools Management E01	21	With reference to item 75 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 September 2000 the Director of Education submitted a Report seeking approval for a revised Scheme of Devolved Schools Management.  A copy of the draft 2004 Scheme of Devolved Schools Management was appended to the Report. It was agreed to recommend that the new 2004 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Scheme of Devolved Schools Management be approved and that the Director of Education be authorised to revise the Scheme automatically and at least annually but referring any revision for elected Members’ approval where significant changes were proposed which required Members’ determination.
		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 8 and 9 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services 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.
Public Private Partnership:  Current Position E01.04.38	22	With reference to item 20 of the Minute of Meeting of 25 November 2003 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning the current position regarding the Public Private Partnership for Schools bid for funding from the Scottish Executive.  A letter from Bayble School Board dated 24 March 2004 regarding the refurbishment of Bayble School was appended to the Report. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the current position be noted; and (2) the formation by the Chief Executive of a PPP Steering Group be homologated. Arising out of consideration of this matter it was agreed to recommend that a Report outlining the current situation regarding the condition and any safety issues at Bayble School be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee in June 2004.
Active Schools – Project Initiation Report E01	23	The Director for Sustainable Communities and the Director of Education submitted a Joint Report seeking approval to submit a bid for Active Schools in line with the sportscotland submission requirements.  Details of the management of the project, implementation plan and resources implications were given in the Report. It was agreed to recommend that it be delegated to the Director for Sustainable Communities and the Director of Education jointly to prepare the partnership bid for Active Schools funding from sportscotland in line with the submission requirements.
Assignation of Bus Contract Number SY1 E01	24	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report seeking homologation of the action of the Director of Corporate Services in agreeing to the assignation of Bus contract number SY1. It was agreed to recommend that the actions of the Director of Corporate Services in agreeing to the assignation of Bus Contract Number SY1 to Peter Maclennan be homologated.
Bus Contract Number HA5 E01	25	It was agreed to withdraw this item.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Reports Outstanding:  Progress PR33.01.12	26	With reference to item 23 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 February 2004 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Reports outstanding following decisions of the Committee. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.

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