COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on 15 June 2005 at 11.00am.

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

APOLOGIES	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Rev Dr Iain D Campbell

Prayer

The meeting was opened with prayer led by Rev David Campbell.

Tributes: Alasdair Maclennan

The Chairman referred to Alasdair Maclennan a Primary 7 pupil at Cliasmol School had won first prize for the whole of Scotland in Learning and Teaching Scotland’s "Ticket to Space" competition 2004/05 and on behalf of the Committee congratulated Alasdair on this outstanding achievement in a class competition with him being the only pupil in his class.

Tribute: Nicolson Institute Senior Girls Football Team

The Chairman referred to the Nicolson Institute Senior Girls Football Team winning the North of Scotland Senior Girls Cup for the sixth time running and being runners up in the Senior Girls Scottish Cup, the first year boys who won the North of Scotland Cup for Under 13’s and also Eve Carrington a Fifth Year pupil at the Nicolson Institute who is achieving as an athlete on the Scottish circuit and won a bronze medal for the high jump for the Scottish Schools Athletics Championships and on behalf of the Committee congratulated all those who had been so successful.

Tribute: The Nicolson Institute: Young Enterprise Competition

The Chairman referred to the Nicolson Institute which had won the Young Enterprise Competition at the local level and would be competing in the Scottish Finals with their company called Fraoch and on behalf of the Committee congratulated them on their progress.

Choices for Life

Chief Inspector Murdo Fraser and Sergeant Roddy Mackay gave a presentation in the Choices for Life event which had been held recently in Stornoway regarding the choices which young people can make in their lives.

Members were afforded an opportunity to task questions on the presentation and the Chairman indicated that the Comhairle would liaise with the Chief Inspector over the following year with a view to holding similar events in future years and getting mini formats out into schools.

MINUTES

Minute of Meeting of 20 April 2005

The Minute of Meeting of 20 April 2005 was approved subject to the Minute being amended to reflect that the Rev Andrew W F Coghill had led the meeting in prayer.

Declaration of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

FINANCE

General Fund Revenue Monitoring 1 April 2004 – 31 March 2005

PR110.08

With reference to item 3 of the Minute of Meeting of 2 February 2005 the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the revenue out-turn for 2004/2005 and seeking approval of Departmental carry forward. A summary of the Comhairle’s out-turn for 2004/2005 was appended to the Report.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee interests were concerned.

General Fund Capital Monitoring 1 April 2004 – 31 March 2005

PR100.01

The Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the final out-turn of the Capital Programme for 2004/05 as at 31 March 2005. The Report also sought approval for the revised capital programme for 2005/06 incorporating the slippage and acceleration from 2004/05.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the allocation of the sum of £125k to direct school budgets under the Comhairle’s Devolved Schools Management procedures be noted; and

(2) the allocation of the carry forward balance as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report be approved.

Carry Forward of Revenue Budgets from the 2004/2005 Financial Year

PR110.08

The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning the carry forward of revenue budgets from the 2004/05 to 2005/06 financial year. A proposed allocation of the carry forward balance was detailed in an Appendix to the Report and it was highlighted that the sum of £125,000 has been allocated to direct school budgets under the Comhairle's Direct School Management Scheme.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the allocation of the sum of £125k to direct school budgets under the Comhairle’s Devolved Schools Management procedures be noted; and

(2) the allocation of the carry forward balance as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report be approved.

BUSINESS PLANNING

Departmental Business Plans Monitoring Report: 1 April 2004 – 31 March 2005

SS02.04

The Chief Executive submitted a Report which sought approval of the Departmental Business Plans Monitoring Reports for the period 1 April 2004 – 31 March 2005. A summary highlighting the key performance issues for all Departments was detailed in the appendices to the Report.

It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned, that:

(1) the performance of departments in relation to their Departmental Business Plans be noted; and

(2) where tasks are uncompleted, further monitoring information will be provided as part of the 2005/06 process.

BUILDINGS

Capital Works: Programme and Progress

PR33.01.12

With reference to item 3 of the Minute of Meeting of 20 April 2005 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.

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 9 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, information relating to any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the Comhairle in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

Public Private Partnership: Status June 2005

E01

With reference to item 9 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 November 2004 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning current progress in the bid to the Scottish Executive for Public Private Partnership funding. Details of the status of the project were given in the Report.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Report be noted; and

(2) the Director of Education’s action in commissioning the additional site evaluation works in the region of £12k from the PPP Set-up Budget be homologated.

Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed to recommend that a Report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee detailing all options for a future contingency strategy in relation to Balivanich Primary School.

Repairs and Maintenance Planned Programme of Work 2005/06: Lewis and Harris Schools

E02

The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning the planned programme of revenue repairs in schools for the 2005/06 financial year. The proposed works for 2005/06 were included as an appendix to the Report. Each item from Head Teachers had been assessed and classified as high priority or urgent and all the items related to schools in Lewis and Harris.

It was agreed to recommend that the planned programme of revenue repairs for Lewis and Harris schools in 2005 be noted.

Berneray School and School House

E02

The Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Education submitted a joint Report seeking Comhairle approval to advertise Berneray School and Schoolhouse for sale on the open market. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report. The Report indicated that the Education Authority could identify no further educational use for the school or the attached school house which was currently empty. The Report recommended that the Comhairle authorise the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Director of Education to advertise Berneray School and Schoolhouse for sale on the open market with offers being sought which specified the proposed future use as well as price.

It was agreed:

(1) to defer consideration of this matter to a future meeting of the Committee; and

(2) that the Director of Education would send a letter to the Berneray Community Council seeking expressions of interest in the property from the Community.

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 12 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, information relating to any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the Comhairle in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

Balivanich Primary School Window Replacement Contract

E02

12*

With reference to item 8 of the Minute of Meeting of 20 April 2005 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the window installation contract Balivanich School and providing analysis of the performance of the contractor and supervision of the contract for Balivanich School. It was reported that works were now satisfactorily completed.

It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.

EDUCATIONAL PROVISION

Review of S1/S2 Provision in P1/S2 Schools: Establishment of Member/Officer Working Group

E08.15

With reference to item 17 of the Minute of Meeting of 6 December 2004 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning the establishment of a Member/Officer Working Group for S1/2 Education Provision. A Members seminar had been held on the Future of S1/S2 Provision in the Western Isles and the consensus was that a Member/Officer Working Group should be established. The background to the consideration of S1/S2 provision was outlined in the Report and the establishment of a Member/Officer Working Group outlined. The Working Group’s remit would be to examine all issues associated with S1/S2 Secondary Education Provision, including both national developments and the local context and make appropriate recommendations to the Committee.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) a Member/Officer Working Group be established to examine S1/S2 provision and all associated issues including both national developments and the local context together with the related cases for upgrading to S4 or S6; and

(2) the membership of the Member/Officer Working Group be as follows:

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Angus Campbell

Mr Angus McCormack

Miss Samantha E L Hawkins

and relevant Officers as determined by the Chief Executive.

Music Provision in Primary Schools

E01

The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning the provision of music in primary schools and the proposed strategy for continuity of provision. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report and a protocol for music tuition in Western Isles schools prepared in June 2005 was appended to the Report. The target for the Youth Music Initiative is that by the time pupils are on P6 they will have been offered one years free music tuition and a proposed strategy for continuity of provision was outlined.

It was agreed to recommend that the contents of the Report and the proposed strategy for Instrumental tuition outlined in Appendix A to the Report together with the need to consider the principle of an exit strategy be noted.

Specific Grants for Gaelic Education 2005/06 : Outcome of Bid

E01.01.24

With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 16 June 2004 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning an amended programme of expenditure for 2005/06 under the Scheme of Specific Grants for Gaelic, as a result of allocation less the original bid. The background to the matter was outlined and revised programme for 2005/06 included as an appendix to the Report.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education be authorised to proceed with the implementation of the projects, as set out in Appendix 1.

RELATED MATTERS

Draft Consultation and Communication Policy

E09

The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning a draft policy for consultation and communication for the Department of Education and Schools. A draft Communication and Consultation Policy was appended to the Report.

It was agreed to recommend that the draft policy on consultation and communication appended to the Report be approved.

Policy Update for Education Maintenance Allowances

E01.04.06

With reference to item of the Minute of Meeting of the Director of Education submitted a revised Comhairle policy on Education Maintenance Allowances in Western Isles Schools. The Report outlined the National Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Guidance for Local Authorities and a draft revised EMA Policy was included as an Appendix to the Report. The Report highlighted local changes required by Scottish Executive guidance clarification during the first year of implementation. The alterations related mainly to eligibility for students from countries outside the European Union.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the local policy amendments at paragraphs 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 9.1 the Report be approved; and

(2) the EMA Scotland Guidance Version 4, with local amendments, be accepted as the updated policy for the continuing implementation of the Education Maintenance Allowance system in Western Isles Schools

Integrated Early Years Strategy

E01

With reference to item 13 of the Minute of Meeting of 2 February 200? the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning the results of the consultation process on an Integrated Early Years Strategy. The background to the matter was outlined and a draft Integrated Early Years Strategy 2005 – 2008 was included as an Appendix to the Report. The Report highlighted that in order to fulfil the Comhairle's commitment to parents and children within the Western Isles and take forward the Scottish Executive’s Policy objectives, whilst maintaining best value, the Comhairle needed to review current service provision.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the results of the consultation on the Integrated Early Years Strategy be noted; and

(2) the Integrated Early Years Strategy be approved.

Inclusion: A Policy for All

E01

The Director of Education submitted a Report progress on and approval of an Inclusion Policy. The consultation process undertaken was outlined together with details of the work completed. A draft policy was included as an Appendix to the Report. The policy outlined how the education authority intended to develop inclusive practice to ensure that the authority secured education directed to the development of the personality, talents and mental and physical abilities of every child or young person to their fullest potential.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the draft policy be approved;

(2) the Action Plan for implementation be approved; and

(3) it be noted that a further Report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee giving further details of the proposed Learning Communities model and its implementation.

Integrated Children’s Services: The Way Forward in the Western Isles

SW02

The Directors of Education and Social Work submitted a joint Report concerning the views of the Education and Social Work Departments on the issue of Integrated Children’s Services. A joint document on the “The Way Forward in the Western Isles” was included as an appendix to the Report and it was recommended the establishment of a Children’s Services Department should be considered by the Comhairle.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the contents of the Report be noted; and

(2) the Chief Executive submit a Report to a future meeting of the appropriate Committee in relation to the issues identified in the Appendix, with particular reference to paragraph 6.4 of the said Appendix.

Draft Integrated Children’s Services Plan

SW02

With reference to item 14 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 September 2004 the Directors of Education and Social Work submitted a joint Report concerning approval of the initial draft of the Integrated Children’s Services Plan for consultation. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report and a draft Western Isles Integrated Children’s Services Plan 2005 – 2008 was included as an Appendix to the Report.

It was agreed to recommend that the draft plan be agreed for consultation purposes.

Draft Information and Communications Technology Policy

E01

The Director of Education submitted a Report concerning a draft policy on the use of information and communications technology in learning and teaching in Western Isles schools. A draft information and communications technology policy was included as an Appendix to the Report. The Report highlighted that the draft policy had been developed by the Education authority, in particular by members of the Education Department’s IT Master Class group and that the policy had been the subject of full consultation including public consultation through the Comhairle’s internet site.

It was agreed to recommend that the draft policy appended to the Report be approved as the Comhairle policy on the issue of information and communications technology in learning and Teaching in Western Isles Schools.

20mph Speed Limits at Schools and Schools Traffic Management Budgets

T08.05.06

With reference to item 18 of the Minute of Meeting of 20 April 2005 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning progress with the implementation of 20mph speed limits and traffic management at all schools. Details of the programmes for 2005/06 were included as an appendix 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 item 24 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 an applicant to become and employee of, or a particular officer holder or former officer holder, or applicant to become and officer holder under the Comhairle.

Shared Headship: Scalpay and Cliasmol Primary Schools

E06

With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 September 2004 the Director of Education submitted a Report concerning a proposed shared headship arrangement to be established in Scalpay and Cliasmol Primary Schools for a period of one year in the first instance. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report and details given. Information which had been previously reported to the Committee on the principle of shared headship was included in the Report together with details of recent previous decisions to have similar arrangements for shared headships.

It was agreed to recommend that the proposal to establish a shared headship arrangement for Scalpay and Cliasmol Schools for a period of one year, in the first instance, be approved.

Youth Crime Prevention Project – Update

SW06

With reference to item 7 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 June 2003 the Director of Social Work submitted a Report on progress on the Youth Crime Prevention Project established in 2003 with a three year funding grant from the Scottish Executive. Details were given of the workload activity and finance. The Report indicated that the Scottish Executive favoured voluntary sector involvement and that therefore the recruitment and employment of staff lay with the National Children’s Home Western Isles Project.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the current position regarding the Youth Crime Prevention Project be noted; and

(2) the Comhairle be kept informed on the possibility of the funding being extended into 2006/07 and 2007/08.

Pitch Development Programme

AL06.01.62

With reference to item 9 of the Minute of Meeting of 19 April 2005 the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the stages of the Pitch Development Programme and seeking approval in relation to the decision making process for the remaining projects. It was suggested that the priority ranking of the remaining projects be considered after the December 2005 funding deadline for the five approved projects.

It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:

(1) note the Report;

(2) approve that the decision to rank the remaining projects in order of priority be considered on the basis of a Report to Committee after the December 2005 deadline; and

(3) note that the Director of Technical Services and the Director for Sustainable Communities were investigating a “value engineering” solution to allow maximum value to be obtained from the funding allocated in the capital programme and that such a solution would address the design/costings of changing and other external facilities and the possibility of joint use of school facilities in appropriate circumstances taking account of school security issues and that the outcome of the investigation would be addressed in a Report to an early future meeting of the appropriate Committee.

Draft Guidance to Councils: Application of the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 to Elected Members

SW02.27.07

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning the implications of the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 with regard to elected Members. The provisions of the Act were summarised and the obligations on the Comhairle highlighted with regard to newly elected Members and, when a date had been agreed with Scottish Ministers, the commencement of the provisions for current Members, including religious representatives on the Committee.

It was agreed to recommend that it be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services to ensure compliance with ss 11 (3) (a) and (b) of the Act.

Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that a Report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on 29 June 2005 regarding implications of the Comhairle carrying out Disclosure (Scotland) checks and detailing any potential liability to the Comhairle.

CONFERENCES AND COURSES

Seminar for Religious Representatives on Education Committees

E07

With reference to item 1 of the Minute of Meeting of 20 April 2005 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning authority for an Education Seminar to be added to the Comhairle's list of approved conferences. The background to the matter was summarised and reference made to the Seminar in terms of professional development.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to add one annual Seminar for Religious Representatives on Education Committees to the list of the Comhairle's approved conferences and that the attendees be all religious representatives on the Education and Children’s Services Committee.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Reports Outstanding: Progress

PR33.01.12

With reference to item 19 of the Minute of Meeting of 20 April 2005 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning the Reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Education and Children’s Services Committee.

It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.