COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Thursday 15 June 2006 at 2.00pm.

PRESENT	Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Roderick Morrison
	Mr Alex A MacDonald	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mrs Annie Macdonald
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Rev Andrew W F Coghill
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Rev David Campbell
	Mr Angus Campbell	Mrs Mary Bell

Prayer			The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Rev Andrew W F Coghill
			MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of 22 March 2006	1		The Minute of Meeting of 22 March 2006 was approved.
Declaration of Interest	2		There were no declarations of interest.
			FINANCE
General Fund Revenue Outturn 2005/06 PR110. 08	3		A Report was submitted by the Director of Finance regarding the overall, unaudited deficit of £811k. Appendix B demonstrated the effect of existing commitments and anticipated budget deficits over the next two years on funds. The projected deficit of £1,745k in 2006/07 had been offset by savings from delays in implementing Single Status. However, with a projected deficit of £2,589k in 2007/08 uncommitted balances will reduce to £795k. The final outturn in Social Work which had been an overspend of £434k, a significant improvement compared to the third quarter forecast. With the exception of the Chief Executive’s Department whose underspend had been slightly over 2% and Housing with an overspend greater than 1%, all other departments came within carry forward tolerances. Commercial Operations returned a net surplus of £136k. With the exception of the Bus Operation, all other operations had made surpluses and detailed reports on individual operations would be brought to the Commercial Operations Board in June. The Bus Operation had failed to achieve the financial target of breaking even over a three-year period and discussions are ongoing with the Executive as to how this would be viewed. The Housing Revenue Account showed a surplus of £123k and this would be transferred to HRA balances. A Report by the Director of Education concerning carry forward was included as an appendix to the Report.
			It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle: (1) approve the recommendations in the Report insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned; (2) note the allocation of the sum of £154k to Direct School Budgets under the Comhairle's DSM procedures; (3) continue to fund free school milk for primary pupils from August 2006 on the basis of the funding initially being found from the repairs and maintenance budget until efficiency savings have been identified when such savings would be used for this purpose and the repair and maintenance budget restored accordingly; and (4) approve the proposed savings as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Education at Appendix D of the Report by the Director of Finance.
General Fund Fourth Quarter Capital Monitoring 2005/06 PR110.01	4		A Report was submitted by the Director of Finance regarding a summary of the overall funding position for 2005/06 and the revised projected position for the subsequent two years was shown in Appendix 1. Appendices 2 and 3 summarised the income and expenditure by Committee for 2005/06 and the revised Programme incorporating slippage and acceleration for the subsequent 2 years. Appendix 4 detailed the status of the PERs and Appendix 5 showed the expenditure approved for funding by Prudential Borrowing and CFCR. The Report stated that a more detailed analysis of income and expenditure, including slippage and acceleration for each Committee, would be available in the June Information Bulletin. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the recommendations in the Report insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned.
		ADDITIONAL ITEM
		The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50 (B)4 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, that the following item be considered as a matter of urgency in order to allow the Comhairle to take a view on the matter.
Departmental Business Plans 2005/06 PR33.01.04	5		The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning the performance of the Comhairle's Departments in relation to their Business Plans for 2005/06. The Report gave a summary of performance from each Director, highlighting the key performance issues for their Department and also indicated that the information provided would be included in the preparation of the annual performance Report which would be published in the Autumn of 2006. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the performance of Departments in relation to their Departmental Business Plans be noted; and (2) where tasks were uncompleted, further monitoring information would be provided as part of the 2006/07 process.
			BUILDINGS
Capital Works: Programme and Progress PR33.01.12	6		With reference to item 4 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 March 2006 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning programme and progress in respect of properties held on the Education and Children's Services account. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 2005/06 – Quarterly Expenditure to 31 March 2006 PR33.01.12	7		With reference to item 5 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 March 2006 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 financial year to 31 March 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 would continue to be placed before the Education and Children’s Services Committee at quarterly intervals.
Public Private Partnership E01	8		With reference to item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 March 2006 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning the latest developments in relation to the Comhairle's PPP proposal. A summary of current progress was outlined in the Report. The Report invited the Committee to recommend two members to serve on the Schools PPP Project Board. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Report be noted; (2) Mr Martin Taylor and Mr Angus McCormack be appointed to the Schools PPP Project Board; and (3) the Chief Executive submit a Report to the next meeting detailing: (i) the provision of new school accommodation in Point, together with a history of how the current proposals had developed; and (ii) the arrangements for communication and consultation in relation to the project, identifying the involvement of affected communities.
			ADDITIONAL ITEM
			The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50 (B)4 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, that the following item be considered as a matter of urgency in order to allow the Comhairle to take a view on the matter.
Schools Private Public Partnership: Redevelopment of the Nicolson Institute Campus E02.27	9		The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning aspects of The Nicolson Institute campus which would require modification to permit the construction of new school premises under the Schools Private Public Partnership. The background to the matter was given in the Report and the public right of way along Springfield Road was highlighted. It was indicated that the consideration should be given to the future of the Springfield South building. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle: (1) give consideration to the submission of an application for the demolition of the Springfield North building of the Nicolson Institute; (2) note that an application may be made to divert the pedestrian ‘right of way’ which was now effectively routed through the school campus and that this would be the subject of a future Report; (3) give consideration to the potential use for the Springfield South building once it became surplus to requirements for educational purposes; and (4) continue to consider the retention of the façade, facing Springfield Road, of the Springfield North building.
			It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 10 below 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.
Delayed Completion of Building Contract Works E02	10*		With reference to item 4 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 March 2006 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning unfinished work on school buildings and recommending options for solutions to the current problems with contractors not finishing work on time. Details were given of the contractual arrangements currently operating together with alternative action which could be taken by the Comhairle. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the basis for calculating the levels of liquidated and ascertained damaged be reviewed, in the first instance for contracts with an estimated value of up to £300k; (2) the Director of Technical Services carry out a review of current procedures for the administration of contracts with a view to firming up enforcement provisions within present published contract conditions; and (3) the result of these reviews be reported to a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.
Coastal Monitoring at Seilebost DS60	11		With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 7 December 2005 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report giving information on the extent of coastal movement along the coastline at Seilebost. The Report contained comparisons between the current survey, those from January 2005, November 2004 and the 1967 ordnance survey as an indication of the progress of erosion taking place. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
Coastal Monitoring at Lionacleit DS60	12		With reference to item 9 of the Minute of Meeting of 7 December 2005 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report giving information on the extent of coastal erosion along the coastline south and east of Lionacleit School. The Report contained comparisons between the current survey, those from October 2005 and Spring 1997 and the 1965 ordnance survey as an indication of the progress of erosion taking place. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
The Schools Energy Improvement Programme Energy Audit E02	13		With reference to item 8 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2006 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report seeking approval for the consultant’s brief and a select list of consultants for the Schools Energy Improvement Programme Energy Audit. The consultant's brief dated May 2006 was included as an appendix to the Report. Details of the background to the project were given together with a proposed select list of consultants. It was agreed to recommend in so far as the Committee’s interests was concerned that: (1) the Consultant’s brief included as Appendix to this Report be approved; and (2) the Select List of Consultants listed in Appendix 2 to the Report in terms of Contract Regulation 8(c) be approved.

		EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
Review of Secondary Education Provision: Consideration of Working Group Proposal E01	14	With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 March 2006 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning a proposal by the S1/S2 Member/Officer Working Group that all primary pupils be enabled to progress directly to their six year catchment schools without having to incur transport costs. The results of a questionnaire which had been sent to S1/S2 schools and associated feeder primary schools including responses from P7 parents was included in the Report as an appendix. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the S1/2 Member/Officer Working Group’s proposal that primary pupils could, if they desired, progress directly to their six year catchment school without having to incur transport costs.
Proposal to Review the “Top Up” Funding Provided to the Pre-School Sector: 2007/2008 E01.02.06	15	With reference to item 18 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 2005 the Director of Education submitted a Report seeking approval for the discontinuation of "Top Up" grant to non-viable pre-school groups, unless there were exceptional circumstances and in those cases that the "Top Up" grant would be increased to ten places. Details of the background to the proposal together with the financial implications were given in the Report. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) small groups within reasonable travel distance of a neighbouring group no longer be funded; (2) where numbers fall below five in very remote areas suitable alternatives be identified; and (3) sustainability funding through “top up” grant be increased to 10 places in some exceptional circumstances as outlined in paragraph 5.1 of the Report.
		It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 16 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.
Proposal for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to bring Sandwickhill Playgroup under the Direct Management of the Comhairle E01.02.14	16*	The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking approval to bring the management of Sandwickhill Playgroup 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 Sandwickhill Playgroup. The financial implications were outlined in the Report. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle approve in principle that Sandwickhill Playgroup 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 the terms on which the Comhairle would take over the management of Sandwickhill Playgroup.
		It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 17 below 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)
NHS Western Isles Health Board: Request for Support in relation to Little Teddies Nursery E01.02.06	17*	The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning a request for support from Little Teddies Nursery and providing details of the interim work plan. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report which also indicated that agreement had been reached to provide interim support on the basis that a full Report would be submitted to the Committee in August 2006. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the action of the Director of Education in providing an interim manager to provide contingency support to Little Teddies Nursery at the expense of NHS Western Isles be noted; and (2) a further Report in relation to this matter would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.
		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 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
Specific Grants for Gaelic Education 2006/07: Outcome of Bid E01.01.24	18*	With reference to item 13 of the Minute of Meeting of 31 August 2005 the Director of Education submitted a Report seeking approval for an amended programme of expenditure for 2006/07 under the Scheme of specific grants for Gaelic, in line with the allocation of grant. Details of the proposed projects were included in the Report as an appendix. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle authorise the Director of Education to proceed with the implementation of the projects, as set out in Appendix 1.
		RELATED MATTERS
Composition of Joint Union Side Membership of Local Negotiation Committee: Teaching Staff E08	19	With reference to item 19 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 May 2002 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning a proposed amendment to the composition of the Joint Union Side Membership of the Local Negotiating Committee: Teaching Staff. Details of the proposed change which had been agreed by the Local Negotiating Committee: Teaching Staff were given in the Report. It was agreed to recommend in so far as to Committee’s interest was concerned that the Comhairle amend the Framework Local Recognition and Procedure Agreement in order to recognise the EIS and SSTA only as the Unions participating in the agreement and, as a consequence, the membership of the Committee, resulting in Joint Union Side composition of six.
Road Safety – 20 mph Speed Limits at Schools T05.14	20	With reference to item 22 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 March 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 eighteen schools involved were given in the Report. It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
Supported Lodgings Service SW02	21	The Director of Social work submitted a Report seeking approval to establish a supported lodgings service for the purpose of providing accommodation for vulnerable young people, who have been Looked After by the Local Authority, with priority given to those who had previously been looked after by the local authority. Details of the proposed supported lodgings service together with the financial implications were given in the Report. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle: (1) approve the proposal to establish a supported lodgings Service within the Pathways Project provided by NCH Scotland; (2) note the proposed exit strategy for the supported lodgings service should this become necessary; and (3) note that annual Reports would be submitted on the activity and budget matters relating to this service.
		ADDITIONAL ITEM
		The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50 (B)4 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, that the following item be considered as a matter of urgency in order to allow the Comhairle to take a view on the matter. It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 22 below on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 5 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; 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 a supervision requirement made in respect of that child under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.
Mainland Placements 2006/07 SW01	22	The Director of Social Work submitted a Report concerning the current position relating to Social Work Revenue Expenditure on specialist mainland placements for adults and children. Details of the current specialist placements within the Social Work Department together with forecasted costs were included in the Report as an appendix. It was agreed to recommend in so far as the Committee’s interest was concerned, that: (1) the forecasted costs of 2006/07 of £607.5k for adult and £483.5k for child care placements as detailed in Appendix 1 to the Report be noted; and (2) progress Reports on the current and forecasted costs of specialist mainland placements would be submitted to each scheduled Committee meeting.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12	23	With reference to item 28 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 March 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 Report be noted.