Med0002

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 1 February 2000 at 2.00pm

PRESENT

Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Archibald K Campbell

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr David Blaney

Mr Philip R McLean

Rev Andrew Coghill

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Rev John Macleod

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Alan Smithyman

Mr Finlay Morrison

Dr Alan J F Fraser

APOLOGIES

Mr Iain Morrison

Prayer

The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Donald I Nicholson.

Tribute: Success on Gaelic Courses

The Chairman referred to the presentation, conducted prior to the meeting, of certificates to the successful students on the Gaelic courses being run for Comhairle employees and on behalf of the Committee congratulated all those involved on the attainment of their certificates.

Tribute: Mr Neil R Galbraith

The Chairman referred to Mr Neil R Galbraith, Acting Chief Executive who had received an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University for his services to Education and on behalf of the Committee congratulated Mr Galbriath on receiving this honour.

MINUTES

Education Committee

E02.01

1*

The minute of meeting of 30 November 1999 was approved, subject to the following amendment:

At Item 154, line 2 delete the word "noted" and insert the following:

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at item 27 of the Minute.

Education Sub-Committee

E08.10

2*

The minute of meeting of the Education Sub-Committee of 15 December 1999 was submitted.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at items 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the Minute.

FINANCE

Third Quarterly Revenue Out-turn Forecast

PR110.08

3*

The Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Income and Revenue Expenditure incurred for the Comhairle's services, including the Housing Revenue Accounts, for the nine months ended 31 December 1999 and comparing such Income and Expenditure with the Revenue Estimates of Income and Expenditure for the period. The Report detailed a forecast outturn expenditure for each of the Comhairle's services for the financial year ending 31 March 2000.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the Report insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

AEF Announcement, Policy Framework and Budget Strategy 2000/01

PR110.03.25

4*

With reference to Item 107 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 November 1999, the Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the final aggregate external finance (AEF) announcement and outlining a first draft budget strategy for 2000/01. An outline of changes in grant aided expenditure was appended to the Report. Comments on the effect of the AEF settlement, the 1999/2000 budgetary performance and movements in reserves, balances and contingency fund were set out in the Report, together with policy issues which required to be addressed by the Comhairle in the budgetary process.

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

Draft Budget 2000/01

PR110.03.25

5*

The Director of Finance submitted a draft budget for the financial year 2000/01 detailing Income and Revenue Expenditure budgeted for each of the Comhairle's Services for the financial year 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, together with revised growth and savings proposals for each of the Comhairle's services.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the draft budget of Income and Expenditure for 2000/01 and the growth and savings proposals detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Capital Programme 2000-03

PR110.03.25

6

The Director of Finance submitted a Report outlining the process in determining the Capital Programme for the three years 2000/01 to 2002/03. Details of the proposed Capital Programme were appended to the Report, taking account of projects which had accepted through a scoring exercise, projects which had been amalgamated into composite programmes, projects which were conditional on external funding becoming available, projects considered to be essential to achieve the Comhairle's objectives and a list of reserve projects. Projects rejected at the scoring stage were also listed.

It was agreed to recommend for the Committee's interest that:

(1) one of the spinal route schemes depending on Scottish Executive matching finance be deferred so that £500,000 of net expenditure fall into the financial year 2003/04;

(2) the principles adopted in reducing the bid expenditure as outlined in paragraphs 6.3 and 6.4 and detailed in Appendices 2, 3, 5 and 6 respectively of the Report be approved;

(3) the Comhairle approve the planning assumption that 40% of the bid resources on projects dependent on matching funding will be required;

(4) In the event of a project not attracting any external finance it is recommended that the project be excluded from the Capital Programme;

(5) In the event of such a project attracting only part of the finance currently estimated in the PIR, it is recommended that the project be subject to review perhaps to reduce costs to maintain the Comhairle's contribution at the estimate included in the PIR. Thereafter, the project will be presented together with any emergency works PIRs, special opportunity PIRs and the approved reserve list to be selected or otherwise for inclusion in the Capital Programme;

(6) the Composite Programme given in Appendix 3 to the Report be approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme;

(7) the projects given in Appendix 6 to the Report by the Director of Finance be approved as essential and include them in the Capital Programme;

(8) the Reserve List of projects given in Appendix 5 to the Report be approved;

(9) that the projects on the rejected list given in Appendix 7 to the Report be given no further consideration in their current form;

(10) that up to 13% of the gross costs of the project, where it is a project dependent on external finance and of a building nature, and 8%, where it is a project of engineering works may be incurred be approved;

(11) In the event of the project dependent on external finance on the Nicolson Lewis Sports Centre be not successful in attracting external finance then the project at the top of the Rejected list on the same building be included in the Capital Programme;

(12) A survey of Members and Heads of Service be undertaken in February of this year;

(13) the Capital Programme 2000-03 given in Appendix 9 to the Report by the Director of Finance be approved, subject to £40,000 of proposed expenditure on the Nicolson Lewis Sports Centre in year 1 of the programme being slipped into later years of the project.

Non Housing Capital Programme

PR110.05

7

With reference to Item 118 and 102 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 December 1999,

the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period 1 April to 31 December 1999 for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report approved expenditure and estimated outturn expenditure for the financial year 1999/2000 for each services. It was noted that the forecast outturn was £434,000 below the revised approved Programme of £14,030,000. A summary of the variations were set out in the Report. Details of the Capital Programme, together with proposed revisions were appended to the Report.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the 1999/2000 outturn as the revised approved Non-Housing Capital Expenditure Programme for 1999/2000.

School Boards Grants Provision 2000/01

E05

8*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning appropriate funding criteria for School Boards for 2000/2001. A formula for the disbursement of School Boards Grants was set out in Appendix C of the Report.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the adoption of the formula set out in Appendix C for the disbursement of School Board grants be approved;

(2) the provision of £1,000 for School Board training to be held centrally, be approved; and

(3) an additional £5,000 provision be made to the current draft revenue estimates provision for 2000/01 bringing the total funding for School Boards to £20,000, the additional £5,000 to be funded from the revenue balances.

BUILDINGS

Programme and Progress

E03

9

With reference to item 163 of the minute of meeting of 30 November 1999 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.

Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 1999/2000 Quarterly Expenditure Report to 31 December 1999

E03

10

With reference to item 115 of the minute of meeting of 17 August 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the situation in respect of expenditure on the repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education Account, to the end of the second quarter of the current financial year.

It was agreed to:

(1) note the report; and

(2) note that further reports on the repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education Account would continue to be placed before Committee at quarterly intervals.

Site for New Build of Children's Centre in Barra - Amendment to Area of Ground to be Leased

E01

11*

With reference to item 138 of the minute of meeting of 5 October 1999 the Director of Corporate Services and the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Joint Report concerning an application from the Barra Pre-School Association to amend the area of land which the Comhairle had previously agreed to lease opposite Castlebay School for the purpose of establishing a children's centre.

It was agreed to recommend that the area of land shown on the attached plan extending to 1151m² opposite Castlebay School now be leased to Barra Pre-School Association for the erection of a children's centre, subject to terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Corporate Services and subject to the receipt of a detailed planning application.

EDUCATIONAL PROVISION

Promotion of Gaelic Medium Primary Education

E01.01.24

12*

With reference to item 46 of the minute of meeting of 9 March 1999 the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the results of a Home Visiting Scheme to promote Gaelic Medium Education and to present a strategic plan to promote Gaelic Medium Primary Education. The background to the matter was outlined in the report.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the findings of the Home Visiting Scheme be noted; and

(2) the strategic plan devised to promote Gaelic Medium Education be approved.

School Targets: Standard and Higher Grade

E01

13

With reference to item 51 of the minute of meeting of 9 March 1999 the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning the progress of schools towards targets in relation to Standard Grade and Higher Grade.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Mr Archie Campbell declared an interest and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the following item.

TEACHING STAFF

A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century: Submission to the McCrone Committee of Inquiry

E07

14

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning information on the terms of reference of the McCrone Committee of Inquiry and a draft submission to the McCrone Committee.

It was agreed that the draft responses, as set out in section 7 of the report, for submission by the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services to the Committee of Inquiry into Professional Conditions of Service for Teachers, be approved, subject to the deletion of point 7.33.

SUPPORT SERVICES

Children Looked After Away from Home Monitoring Group

E07

15*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services and the Director of Social Work submitted a Joint Report concerning the establishment of a joint Social Work and Education Monitoring Group to monitor and oversee the placement of children who are currently being looked after away from home or, may require at a future date, to be accommodated on the mainland.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the establishment of a Monitoring Group in the terms set out in the Report, be approved; and

(2) the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee be appointed to serve on the Monitoring Group.

Proposed Revision of Eligibility Criteria for School Clothing Grants

E05

16

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning approval for the operational procedures involved in the processing of school clothing grant application forms and of the proposed revision of the eligibility criteria for the assessment of these grants in light of the introduction of Working Families Tax Credit. The Report detailed the new Working Families Tax Credit scheme, which was set out in Appendix A.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the assessment procedures as set out in paragraphs 6.1-6.9 of the Report, be approved; and

(2) the revised eligibility criteria set out at Appendix A, be approved.

RELATED MATTERS

Lionacleit New Community School Project: Appointment of Elected Member to the New Community School Management Group

E07

17*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning the appointment of an Elected Member representative to the Lionacleit New Community School Management Group.

It was agreed to recommend that Mrs Mary Bremner be appointed to the Lionacleit Cluster New Community School Management Group.

___

PRESENT	Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr Archibald K Campbell
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mr David Blaney
	Mr Philip R McLean	Rev Andrew Coghill
	Mr Donald I Nicholson	Rev John Macleod
	Mr Norman M Macleod	Mr Alan Smithyman
	Mr Finlay Morrison	Dr Alan J F Fraser

APOLOGIES	Mr Iain Morrison

Prayer		The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Donald I Nicholson.
Tribute: Success on Gaelic Courses		The Chairman referred to the presentation, conducted prior to the meeting, of certificates to the successful students on the Gaelic courses being run for Comhairle employees and on behalf of the Committee congratulated all those involved on the attainment of their certificates.
Tribute: Mr Neil R Galbraith		The Chairman referred to Mr Neil R Galbraith, Acting Chief Executive who had received an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University for his services to Education and on behalf of the Committee congratulated Mr Galbriath on receiving this honour.
		MINUTES
Education Committee E02.01	1*	The minute of meeting of 30 November 1999 was approved, subject to the following amendment: At Item 154, line 2 delete the word "noted" and insert the following: It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at item 27 of the Minute.
Education Sub-Committee E08.10	2*	The minute of meeting of the Education Sub-Committee of 15 December 1999 was submitted. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at items 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the Minute.

		FINANCE
Third Quarterly Revenue Out-turn Forecast PR110.08	3*	The Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Income and Revenue Expenditure incurred for the Comhairle's services, including the Housing Revenue Accounts, for the nine months ended 31 December 1999 and comparing such Income and Expenditure with the Revenue Estimates of Income and Expenditure for the period. The Report detailed a forecast outturn expenditure for each of the Comhairle's services for the financial year ending 31 March 2000. It was agreed to recommend approval of the Report insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
AEF Announcement, Policy Framework and Budget Strategy 2000/01 PR110.03.25	4*	With reference to Item 107 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 November 1999, the Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the final aggregate external finance (AEF) announcement and outlining a first draft budget strategy for 2000/01. An outline of changes in grant aided expenditure was appended to the Report. Comments on the effect of the AEF settlement, the 1999/2000 budgetary performance and movements in reserves, balances and contingency fund were set out in the Report, together with policy issues which required to be addressed by the Comhairle in the budgetary process. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
Draft Budget 2000/01 PR110.03.25	5*	The Director of Finance submitted a draft budget for the financial year 2000/01 detailing Income and Revenue Expenditure budgeted for each of the Comhairle's Services for the financial year 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, together with revised growth and savings proposals for each of the Comhairle's services. It was agreed to recommend approval of the draft budget of Income and Expenditure for 2000/01 and the growth and savings proposals detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
Capital Programme 2000-03 PR110.03.25	6	The Director of Finance submitted a Report outlining the process in determining the Capital Programme for the three years 2000/01 to 2002/03. Details of the proposed Capital Programme were appended to the Report, taking account of projects which had accepted through a scoring exercise, projects which had been amalgamated into composite programmes, projects which were conditional on external funding becoming available, projects considered to be essential to achieve the Comhairle's objectives and a list of reserve projects. Projects rejected at the scoring stage were also listed. It was agreed to recommend for the Committee's interest that:
		(1) one of the spinal route schemes depending on Scottish Executive matching finance be deferred so that £500,000 of net expenditure fall into the financial year 2003/04; (2) the principles adopted in reducing the bid expenditure as outlined in paragraphs 6.3 and 6.4 and detailed in Appendices 2, 3, 5 and 6 respectively of the Report be approved;
		(3) the Comhairle approve the planning assumption that 40% of the bid resources on projects dependent on matching funding will be required; (4) In the event of a project not attracting any external finance it is recommended that the project be excluded from the Capital Programme; (5) In the event of such a project attracting only part of the finance currently estimated in the PIR, it is recommended that the project be subject to review perhaps to reduce costs to maintain the Comhairle's contribution at the estimate included in the PIR. Thereafter, the project will be presented together with any emergency works PIRs, special opportunity PIRs and the approved reserve list to be selected or otherwise for inclusion in the Capital Programme; (6) the Composite Programme given in Appendix 3 to the Report be approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme; (7) the projects given in Appendix 6 to the Report by the Director of Finance be approved as essential and include them in the Capital Programme; (8) the Reserve List of projects given in Appendix 5 to the Report be approved; (9) that the projects on the rejected list given in Appendix 7 to the Report be given no further consideration in their current form; (10) that up to 13% of the gross costs of the project, where it is a project dependent on external finance and of a building nature, and 8%, where it is a project of engineering works may be incurred be approved; (11) In the event of the project dependent on external finance on the Nicolson Lewis Sports Centre be not successful in attracting external finance then the project at the top of the Rejected list on the same building be included in the Capital Programme; (12) A survey of Members and Heads of Service be undertaken in February of this year; (13) the Capital Programme 2000-03 given in Appendix 9 to the Report by the Director of Finance be approved, subject to £40,000 of proposed expenditure on the Nicolson Lewis Sports Centre in year 1 of the programme being slipped into later years of the project.

Non Housing Capital Programme PR110.05	7	With reference to Item 118 and 102 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 December 1999, the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period 1 April to 31 December 1999 for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report approved expenditure and estimated outturn expenditure for the financial year 1999/2000 for each services. It was noted that the forecast outturn was £434,000 below the revised approved Programme of £14,030,000. A summary of the variations were set out in the Report. Details of the Capital Programme, together with proposed revisions were appended to the Report.
		It was agreed to recommend approval of the 1999/2000 outturn as the revised approved Non-Housing Capital Expenditure Programme for 1999/2000.
School Boards Grants Provision 2000/01 E05	8*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning appropriate funding criteria for School Boards for 2000/2001. A formula for the disbursement of School Boards Grants was set out in Appendix C of the Report. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the adoption of the formula set out in Appendix C for the disbursement of School Board grants be approved; (2) the provision of £1,000 for School Board training to be held centrally, be approved; and (3) an additional £5,000 provision be made to the current draft revenue estimates provision for 2000/01 bringing the total funding for School Boards to £20,000, the additional £5,000 to be funded from the revenue balances.
		BUILDINGS
Programme and Progress E03	9	With reference to item 163 of the minute of meeting of 30 November 1999 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.
Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 1999/2000 Quarterly Expenditure Report to 31 December 1999 E03	10	With reference to item 115 of the minute of meeting of 17 August 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a report concerning the situation in respect of expenditure on the repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education Account, to the end of the second quarter of the current financial year. It was agreed to: (1) note the report; and (2) note that further reports on the repairs and maintenance of properties held on the Education Account would continue to be placed before Committee at quarterly intervals.
Site for New Build of Children's Centre in Barra - Amendment to Area of Ground to be Leased E01	11*	With reference to item 138 of the minute of meeting of 5 October 1999 the Director of Corporate Services and the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Joint Report concerning an application from the Barra Pre-School Association to amend the area of land which the Comhairle had previously agreed to lease opposite Castlebay School for the purpose of establishing a children's centre. It was agreed to recommend that the area of land shown on the attached plan extending to 1151m² opposite Castlebay School now be leased to Barra Pre-School Association for the erection of a children's centre, subject to terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Corporate Services and subject to the receipt of a detailed planning application.

		EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
Promotion of Gaelic Medium Primary Education E01.01.24	12*	With reference to item 46 of the minute of meeting of 9 March 1999 the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the results of a Home Visiting Scheme to promote Gaelic Medium Education and to present a strategic plan to promote Gaelic Medium Primary Education. The background to the matter was outlined in the report. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the findings of the Home Visiting Scheme be noted; and (2) the strategic plan devised to promote Gaelic Medium Education be approved.
School Targets: Standard and Higher Grade E01	13	With reference to item 51 of the minute of meeting of 9 March 1999 the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning the progress of schools towards targets in relation to Standard Grade and Higher Grade. It was agreed to note the Report.
		Mr Archie Campbell declared an interest and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the following item.
		TEACHING STAFF
A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century: Submission to the McCrone Committee of Inquiry E07	14	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning information on the terms of reference of the McCrone Committee of Inquiry and a draft submission to the McCrone Committee. It was agreed that the draft responses, as set out in section 7 of the report, for submission by the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services to the Committee of Inquiry into Professional Conditions of Service for Teachers, be approved, subject to the deletion of point 7.33.
		SUPPORT SERVICES
Children Looked After Away from Home Monitoring Group E07	15*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services and the Director of Social Work submitted a Joint Report concerning the establishment of a joint Social Work and Education Monitoring Group to monitor and oversee the placement of children who are currently being looked after away from home or, may require at a future date, to be accommodated on the mainland. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the establishment of a Monitoring Group in the terms set out in the Report, be approved; and (2) the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee be appointed to serve on the Monitoring Group.
Proposed Revision of Eligibility Criteria for School Clothing Grants E05	16	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning approval for the operational procedures involved in the processing of school clothing grant application forms and of the proposed revision of the eligibility criteria for the assessment of these grants in light of the introduction of Working Families Tax Credit. The Report detailed the new Working Families Tax Credit scheme, which was set out in Appendix A. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the assessment procedures as set out in paragraphs 6.1-6.9 of the Report, be approved; and (2) the revised eligibility criteria set out at Appendix A, be approved.
		RELATED MATTERS
Lionacleit New Community School Project: Appointment of Elected Member to the New Community School Management Group E07	17*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning the appointment of an Elected Member representative to the Lionacleit New Community School Management Group. It was agreed to recommend that Mrs Mary Bremner be appointed to the Lionacleit Cluster New Community School Management Group.