March 2003

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 11 March 2003 at 2.00pm

PRESENT

Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)

Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr Donald MMackay

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Archie Campbell

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr David Blaney

Mr Norman M Macleod

Rev John Macleod

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Murdo Macdonald

APOLOGIES

Mr Iain Morrison

Rev Andrew Coghill

Rev Iain D Campbell

Prayer

The meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Donald M Mackay.

MINUTES

Minute of Meeting of 4 February 2003

1

The minute of meeting of 4 February 2003 was approved, subject to the following amendment:

at the sederunt, insert Mr Murdo Macdonald under those present.

Minutes of Meetings of School Board Appointments Committee

2

The minutes of meetings of the School Board Appointments Committee of 5 December 2002, 18 December 2002 and 7 February 2003 were noted.

Minute of Meeting of Children Looked After Away From Home Monitoring Group of 4 February 2003

3

The minute of meeting of the Children Looked After Away From Home Monitoring Group of 4 February 2003 was submitted.

It was agreed to recommed approval of the recommendations at item 2.

BUILDINGS

Capital Works: Programme and Progress

E03

4

With reference to item 8 of the minute of meeting of 4 February 2003, the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the capital works programme and progress in relation to education properties.

It was agreed to note the report.

Coastal Erosion at Lionacleit

E02

5

With reference to item 102 of the minute of meeting of 30 January 2001, the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the extent of coastal erosion along the coast line south and east of Lionacleit School. Comparisons between the current survey and that from an Ordance Survey from 1965 were appended to the report. The most significant areas of erosion during the period since 1965 were to the south and south east of the survey area. The report indicated that Technical Services will continue to monitor coastal erosion at Lionacleit and report on a six monthly basis.

It was agreed:

(1) to note the report;

(2) to recommend that a Working Group comprising Mrs Mary Bremner and Mr Martin Taylor be established to liaise with Scottish Natural Heritage and other appropriate organisations regarding coastal erosion at Lionacleit and report back to the Committee; and

(3) to recommend that Seilibost be added to the list of coastal erosion monitoring.

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 8 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).

Shawbost Old School

E02.07

6

With reference to item 85 of the minute of meeting of 15 June 1999, the Directors of Corporate Services and Education submitted a joint report concerning details of the funding package which has been secured for the redevelopment of Shawbost Old School and to seek authority to proceed with the transfer of the School. It was indicated in the report that Shawbost Old School Committee have been active in securing funding and details of their funding package were appended to the report.

It was agreed to recommend that Shawbost Old School be transferred to Shawbost Old School Committee for no consideration, subject to:

(1) the consent of the Scottish Ministers to a transfer at less than market value being obtained; and

(2) consent to the change of use being obtained from Barvas Estate Limited.

Schools Boilerplant Replacement Programme

E03

7

The Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning a programme of schools boilerplant replacement works. The report indicated that £315 of funding had been provided by the Scottish Executive to be used for maintenance in schools and it was proposed to use £160k of this for boilerplant replacement in 2003/04.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the spending of £160,000 of the £315,000 Scottish Executive schools maintenance funding on replacement of boilerplant at Iochdar School, Sir E Scott Primary School and Sheilibost School in 2003/04 be approved; and

(2) a PIR be submitted recommending the inclusion of £160,000 per annum in the Composite Capital Programme for Schools Boilerplant Replacement for 2004/05 onwards.

Mr Donald I Nicholson, seconded by Mr Murdo Macleod moved that it be recommended that a sum of £40,000 be reserved from the boiler replacement programme, if required, for use on the first phase of the Sandwick Hall GP requirement/community hall.

Mr Norman M Macleod, seconded by Mrs Morag Munro moved as an amendment that it be recommended to the Policy and Finance Committee on 18 March 2003 that consideration be given to financing £40,000, if the funding is not obtainable from Western Isles Enterprise, from contingency in 2002/2003 to Sandwick Hall and Recreation Committee for the first phase of Sandwickhill School and Community Hall Development, if required.

On the matter being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority of the votes cast and it was agreed to recommend accordingly.

Sandwick School and Community Hall: Proposals for Phasing of the Project

E02.26

8

With reference to item 13 of the minute of meeting of 4 February 2002, the Director of Education submitted a report concerning progress with the funding arrangements for the proposed Sandwick School and Community Hall development. Financial details were set out in the report.

It was agreed to recommend that approval be given to Sandwick Hall and Recreation Enterprise (SHARE) to proceed with Phase 1 of the School and Community Hall Development, subject to all the necessary funding being available, with the second phase pending the creation of a further funding package to complete the project.

Additional Scottish Executive Funding for School Buildings: Proposed Allocation of Resources 2003/04

E07

9

With reference to item 10 of the minute of meeting of 1 October 2002, the Director of Education submitted a report concerning additional Scottish Executive funding for school building improvements. The report indicated that the formal notification for funding and the conditions relating to the expenditure had yet to be sent to the Comhairle but indicative figures for the Comhairle were set out in the report. Details of the proposed programme for allocation of the additional funding were outlined in the report.

It was agreed to:

(1) note the allocation of an additional £315,000 in 2003/04 and £658,000 per annum to the Comhairle for 2004/05 and 2005/06 for building improvements to schools;

(2) note the allocation of £62,000 to assist the Comhairle prepare school estate management plans by December 2003; and

(3) recommend approval of the proposed expenditure of £315,000, the 2003/04 allocation, on building works as detailed in section 4 of the report by the Director of Education.

EDUCATIONAL PROVISION

Request for a New Gaelic Medium Unit

E01.01.24

10

With reference to item 12 of the minute of meeting of 1 February 2000, the Director of Education submitted a report concerning a request received for a Gaelic Medium Unit in Pairc School. It was stated in the report that the numbers requesting Gaelic Medium Education in the first year do not fall within the stated policy of the Comhairle regarding numbers for Gaelic Medium units, although there appeared to be a steady level of interest in future years.

It was agreed to recommend that a Gaelic Medium Unit be established in Pairc School.

Pre-School Funding 2003/2004

E01.01.24

11

With reference to item 13 of the minute of meeting of 28 May 2002, the Director of Education submitted a report concerning the proposed pre school commissioned place rate for 2003/2004 and the continuation of existing arrangements for other pre school support. It was indicated in the report that it was proposed to set the commissioned place rate for pre school year 2003/2004 at £1245, an increase of 2% on the rate for 2002/2003.

It was agreed to:

(1) recommend approval of a rate per full commissioned pre-school place (including for 3 year olds) of £1245 for the 2003/2004 pre-school year; and

(2) note the continuation of other support arrangements for pre-school groups during 2003/2004.

Gaelic Specific Grant Bid 2003/2004: Outcome of Bid

E01.01.24

12

With reference to item 12 of the minute of meeting of 12 March 2002 , the Director of Education submitted a report concerning the amount of Specific Grant for Gaelic Education offered to the Comhairle in relation to the Bid submitted to the Scottish Executive Education Department for the financial year 2003-2004 and seeking approval for an amended scheme of expenditure to take account of an allocation lower than the original bid. The background to the matter was outlined in the report.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education be authorised to proceed to the implementation of projects, as detailed in his report, subject to the reductions set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

Arising out of consideration of this item it was further agreed to recommend that the Comhairle make representations to:

(1) the Scottish Executive Education Department expressing the Comhairle's disappointment and concern that the amount of Gaelic Specific Grant had been cut for 2 consecutive years; and

(2) Bord na Gaidhlig requesting that grants for Gaelic Medium Education be retained, in order to strengthen and support the language.

RELATED MATTERS

Broadband - Network Upgrade

E07

13

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning the funding of new equipment necessary to support changes to the local network for the implementation of broadband. The report indicated that the implementation of two broadband projects, the SPARK project which is largely aimed at Education and the Commencted Communities network which will provide broadband for rural schools at no additional cost to these schools. The projects required changes to the interface with the local network within the Comhairle in order to accommodate the new infrastructure.

It was agreed to recommend that £32,500 be allocated from the Education budget to fund the necessary changes to the Comhairle's network, as part of the Broadband - Network Upgrade.

Proposals for Annual Education Seminar 2003

E07

14

With reference to item 113 of the minute of meeting of 2 October 2001. The Director of Education submitted a report concerning the Annual Education Members' Seminar and proposed themes for the Seminar. The report indicated that the basic format for the seminar would include a presentation on the work of the Education Department within the Comhairle's portfolio of service led by the Director of Education and appropriate staff; Education Business Plan 2003/04 and the Local Improvement Objectives 2003.

It was agreed to recommend that the Education Seminar for members be held during the week commencing 12 June 2003, with the themes listed in Section 4.3 of the report by the Director of Education.

Bus Contracts Re-Tendering 2004

E07

15

With reference to item 114 of the minute of meeting of 7 October 2001, the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the programme for re-tendering all bus services contracts throughout the Western Isles. It was indicated in the report that all bus contracts currently operating in the Western Isles terminate at the end of March 2004 and the consultation and tendering programme required to ensure that new contracts were in place for April 2004 were outlined in the report.

It was agreed to recommend that the programme for the re-tendering of all bus contracts as shown in the Appendix to the report by the Director of Technical Services be approved.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Reports Outstanding: Progress

16

With reference to item 20 of the minute of meeting of 4 February 2003 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Education Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

PRESENT	Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mr Donald MMackay
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Mr Archie Campbell
	Mr Donald I Nicholson	Mr David Blaney
	Mr Norman M Macleod	Rev John Macleod
	Mr Finlay Morrison	Mr Murdo Macdonald


APOLOGIES	Mr Iain Morrison
	Rev Andrew Coghill	Rev Iain D Campbell

Prayer		The meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Donald M Mackay.
		MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of 4 February 2003	1	The minute of meeting of 4 February 2003 was approved, subject to the following amendment: at the sederunt, insert Mr Murdo Macdonald under those present.
Minutes of Meetings of School Board Appointments Committee	2	The minutes of meetings of the School Board Appointments Committee of 5 December 2002, 18 December 2002 and 7 February 2003 were noted.
Minute of Meeting of Children Looked After Away From Home Monitoring Group of 4 February 2003	3	The minute of meeting of the Children Looked After Away From Home Monitoring Group of 4 February 2003 was submitted. It was agreed to recommed approval of the recommendations at item 2.
		BUILDINGS
Capital Works: Programme and Progress E03	4	With reference to item 8 of the minute of meeting of 4 February 2003, the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the capital works programme and progress in relation to education properties. It was agreed to note the report.
Coastal Erosion at Lionacleit E02	5	With reference to item 102 of the minute of meeting of 30 January 2001, the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the extent of coastal erosion along the coast line south and east of Lionacleit School. Comparisons between the current survey and that from an Ordance Survey from 1965 were appended to the report. The most significant areas of erosion during the period since 1965 were to the south and south east of the survey area. The report indicated that Technical Services will continue to monitor coastal erosion at Lionacleit and report on a six monthly basis. It was agreed: (1) to note the report; (2) to recommend that a Working Group comprising Mrs Mary Bremner and Mr Martin Taylor be established to liaise with Scottish Natural Heritage and other appropriate organisations regarding coastal erosion at Lionacleit and report back to the Committee; and (3) to recommend that Seilibost be added to the list of coastal erosion monitoring.
		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 8 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).
Shawbost Old School E02.07	6	With reference to item 85 of the minute of meeting of 15 June 1999, the Directors of Corporate Services and Education submitted a joint report concerning details of the funding package which has been secured for the redevelopment of Shawbost Old School and to seek authority to proceed with the transfer of the School. It was indicated in the report that Shawbost Old School Committee have been active in securing funding and details of their funding package were appended to the report. It was agreed to recommend that Shawbost Old School be transferred to Shawbost Old School Committee for no consideration, subject to: (1) the consent of the Scottish Ministers to a transfer at less than market value being obtained; and (2) consent to the change of use being obtained from Barvas Estate Limited.
Schools Boilerplant Replacement Programme E03	7	The Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning a programme of schools boilerplant replacement works. The report indicated that £315 of funding had been provided by the Scottish Executive to be used for maintenance in schools and it was proposed to use £160k of this for boilerplant replacement in 2003/04. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the spending of £160,000 of the £315,000 Scottish Executive schools maintenance funding on replacement of boilerplant at Iochdar School, Sir E Scott Primary School and Sheilibost School in 2003/04 be approved; and (2) a PIR be submitted recommending the inclusion of £160,000 per annum in the Composite Capital Programme for Schools Boilerplant Replacement for 2004/05 onwards. Mr Donald I Nicholson, seconded by Mr Murdo Macleod moved that it be recommended that a sum of £40,000 be reserved from the boiler replacement programme, if required, for use on the first phase of the Sandwick Hall GP requirement/community hall.
		Mr Norman M Macleod, seconded by Mrs Morag Munro moved as an amendment that it be recommended to the Policy and Finance Committee on 18 March 2003 that consideration be given to financing £40,000, if the funding is not obtainable from Western Isles Enterprise, from contingency in 2002/2003 to Sandwick Hall and Recreation Committee for the first phase of Sandwickhill School and Community Hall Development, if required. On the matter being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority of the votes cast and it was agreed to recommend accordingly.
Sandwick School and Community Hall: Proposals for Phasing of the Project E02.26	8	With reference to item 13 of the minute of meeting of 4 February 2002, the Director of Education submitted a report concerning progress with the funding arrangements for the proposed Sandwick School and Community Hall development. Financial details were set out in the report. It was agreed to recommend that approval be given to Sandwick Hall and Recreation Enterprise (SHARE) to proceed with Phase 1 of the School and Community Hall Development, subject to all the necessary funding being available, with the second phase pending the creation of a further funding package to complete the project.
Additional Scottish Executive Funding for School Buildings: Proposed Allocation of Resources 2003/04 E07	9	With reference to item 10 of the minute of meeting of 1 October 2002, the Director of Education submitted a report concerning additional Scottish Executive funding for school building improvements. The report indicated that the formal notification for funding and the conditions relating to the expenditure had yet to be sent to the Comhairle but indicative figures for the Comhairle were set out in the report. Details of the proposed programme for allocation of the additional funding were outlined in the report. It was agreed to: (1) note the allocation of an additional £315,000 in 2003/04 and £658,000 per annum to the Comhairle for 2004/05 and 2005/06 for building improvements to schools; (2) note the allocation of £62,000 to assist the Comhairle prepare school estate management plans by December 2003; and (3) recommend approval of the proposed expenditure of £315,000, the 2003/04 allocation, on building works as detailed in section 4 of the report by the Director of Education.
		EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
Request for a New Gaelic Medium Unit E01.01.24	10	With reference to item 12 of the minute of meeting of 1 February 2000, the Director of Education submitted a report concerning a request received for a Gaelic Medium Unit in Pairc School. It was stated in the report that the numbers requesting Gaelic Medium Education in the first year do not fall within the stated policy of the Comhairle regarding numbers for Gaelic Medium units, although there appeared to be a steady level of interest in future years. It was agreed to recommend that a Gaelic Medium Unit be established in Pairc School.
Pre-School Funding 2003/2004 E01.01.24	11	With reference to item 13 of the minute of meeting of 28 May 2002, the Director of Education submitted a report concerning the proposed pre school commissioned place rate for 2003/2004 and the continuation of existing arrangements for other pre school support. It was indicated in the report that it was proposed to set the commissioned place rate for pre school year 2003/2004 at £1245, an increase of 2% on the rate for 2002/2003. It was agreed to: (1) recommend approval of a rate per full commissioned pre-school place (including for 3 year olds) of £1245 for the 2003/2004 pre-school year; and (2) note the continuation of other support arrangements for pre-school groups during 2003/2004.
Gaelic Specific Grant Bid 2003/2004: Outcome of Bid E01.01.24	12	With reference to item 12 of the minute of meeting of 12 March 2002 , the Director of Education submitted a report concerning the amount of Specific Grant for Gaelic Education offered to the Comhairle in relation to the Bid submitted to the Scottish Executive Education Department for the financial year 2003-2004 and seeking approval for an amended scheme of expenditure to take account of an allocation lower than the original bid. The background to the matter was outlined in the report. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education be authorised to proceed to the implementation of projects, as detailed in his report, subject to the reductions set out in Appendix 2 of the report. Arising out of consideration of this item it was further agreed to recommend that the Comhairle make representations to: (1) the Scottish Executive Education Department expressing the Comhairle's disappointment and concern that the amount of Gaelic Specific Grant had been cut for 2 consecutive years; and (2) Bord na Gaidhlig requesting that grants for Gaelic Medium Education be retained, in order to strengthen and support the language.
		RELATED MATTERS
Broadband - Network Upgrade E07	13	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning the funding of new equipment necessary to support changes to the local network for the implementation of broadband. The report indicated that the implementation of two broadband projects, the SPARK project which is largely aimed at Education and the Commencted Communities network which will provide broadband for rural schools at no additional cost to these schools. The projects required changes to the interface with the local network within the Comhairle in order to accommodate the new infrastructure. It was agreed to recommend that £32,500 be allocated from the Education budget to fund the necessary changes to the Comhairle's network, as part of the Broadband - Network Upgrade.
Proposals for Annual Education Seminar 2003 E07	14	With reference to item 113 of the minute of meeting of 2 October 2001. The Director of Education submitted a report concerning the Annual Education Members' Seminar and proposed themes for the Seminar. The report indicated that the basic format for the seminar would include a presentation on the work of the Education Department within the Comhairle's portfolio of service led by the Director of Education and appropriate staff; Education Business Plan 2003/04 and the Local Improvement Objectives 2003. It was agreed to recommend that the Education Seminar for members be held during the week commencing 12 June 2003, with the themes listed in Section 4.3 of the report by the Director of Education.
Bus Contracts Re-Tendering 2004 E07	15	With reference to item 114 of the minute of meeting of 7 October 2001, the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the programme for re-tendering all bus services contracts throughout the Western Isles. It was indicated in the report that all bus contracts currently operating in the Western Isles terminate at the end of March 2004 and the consultation and tendering programme required to ensure that new contracts were in place for April 2004 were outlined in the report. It was agreed to recommend that the programme for the re-tendering of all bus contracts as shown in the Appendix to the report by the Director of Technical Services be approved.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Reports Outstanding: Progress	16	With reference to item 20 of the minute of meeting of 4 February 2003 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Education Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.