18 June 2001 E&T Sub

EDUCATION AND TRANSPORTATION JOINT SUB-COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Monday 18 June 2001 at 4.30pm

PRESENT

Mrs Mary Bremner (Chairman)

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr David Blaney

CONSTITUTION

Election of Chairman

1

It was agreed to appoint Mrs Mary Bremner as Chairman of the Sub-Committee.

MINUTES

2

The minute of meeting of 29 January 1999 was approved.

INTEGRATED TRANSPORT

Integration of Education and Social Work Special Needs Transportation

3

The Director of Technical Services submitted a report advising the Joint Sub-Committee of the outcome of the experimental integration of Education Special Needs and Social Work Client transport, and seeking agreement as to the future development of the service. The report indicated that an experimental integrated service had been running in the Stornoway area since April 2000 and that the service currently carries 41 pupils and 92 Social Work clients. The strengths and weaknesses of the service from an operational and service provider point of view were highlighted in the report. The report also identified how requested improvements could be achieved.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the progress made over the past year to integrate Education and Social Work Special Needs Transport be noted;

(2) the further development of the service throughout the Western Isles, as outlined in the body of the report by the Director of Technical Services, for a period not extending beyond March 2004, be approved; and

(3) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to:

(i) identify appropriate funding and management arrangements for the post of Special Needs Transport Co-ordinator/Minibus Manager;

(ii) identify opportunities for partnership working with external agencies and voluntary organisations and, where there will be no detriment to the transport arrangements for pupils and clients, enter into partnership arrangements; and

(iii) standardise minibus hire charges for community use across the whole fleet.

___

PRESENT	Mrs Mary Bremner (Chairman)
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr Finlay Morrison	Mr David Blaney

		CONSTITUTION
Election of Chairman	1	It was agreed to appoint Mrs Mary Bremner as Chairman of the Sub-Committee.
		MINUTES
	2	The minute of meeting of 29 January 1999 was approved.
		INTEGRATED TRANSPORT
Integration of Education and Social Work Special Needs Transportation	3	The Director of Technical Services submitted a report advising the Joint Sub-Committee of the outcome of the experimental integration of Education Special Needs and Social Work Client transport, and seeking agreement as to the future development of the service. The report indicated that an experimental integrated service had been running in the Stornoway area since April 2000 and that the service currently carries 41 pupils and 92 Social Work clients. The strengths and weaknesses of the service from an operational and service provider point of view were highlighted in the report. The report also identified how requested improvements could be achieved. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the progress made over the past year to integrate Education and Social Work Special Needs Transport be noted; (2) the further development of the service throughout the Western Isles, as outlined in the body of the report by the Director of Technical Services, for a period not extending beyond March 2004, be approved; and (3) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to: (i) identify appropriate funding and management arrangements for the post of Special Needs Transport Co-ordinator/Minibus Manager; (ii) identify opportunities for partnership working with external agencies and voluntary organisations and, where there will be no detriment to the transport arrangements for pupils and clients, enter into partnership arrangements; and (iii) standardise minibus hire charges for community use across the whole fleet.