Meds9912

EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 15 December 1999 at 2.00pm

PRESENT

Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)

Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-chairman)

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Philip R McLean

Mr Archibald K Campbell

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr David Blaney

MINUTES

Education Sub-Committee

30

The minute of meeting of 28 October 1999 was approved.

TEACHING STAFF

Establishment of Post of Assistant Principal Teacher at Sir E Scott School

31

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning the proposal to establish a post of Assistant Principal Teacher at Sir E Scott School. The background to the matter was outlined in the report.

It was agreed to recommend that the proposal to establish a post of Assistant Principal Teacher at Sir E Scott School, be approved.

Retirement Benefits: IS

32

With reference to item 55 of the minute of meeting of the Education Committee of 9 March 1999 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning the additional payments of lump sum and pension payable to IS.

It was agreed to recommend that the retirement benefits payable by the Comhairle to IS be amended as follows:

(a) lump sum payable increases from £748.90 to £1007.09; and

(b) pension payable increases from £441.02 to £593.07.

Compromise Agreement: Former Comhairle Employee AB

33

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning what action should be taken in relation to an article published in the Stornoway Gazette by a former employee of the Comhairle. It was detailed in the report that it appeared that some of the comments made and opinions expressed by AB were derogatory of the Comhairle.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) former employee AB be made aware that the Comhairle considers his comments to be in breach of his Compromise Agreement and unacceptable; and

(2) in order not to exacerbate an already sensitive situation money should not be deducted from his pension in relation solely to the comments in (1) above.

Compromise Agreement: Former Comhairle Employee CD

34

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning what action should be taken in relation to a letter published in the Stornoway Gazette by a former employee of the Comhairle. It was detailed in the report that some of the comments made by CD appeared derogatory of the Comhairle.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) former employee CD be made aware that the Comhairle considers his comments to be in breach of his Compromise Agreement and unacceptable; and

(2) in order not to exacerbate an already sensitive situation money should not be deducted from his pension in relation solely to the comments in (1) above.

BURSARIES

It was agreed that, in accordance with the provision of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds defined in Standing Order 26(d), namely, that exempt information relating to particular applicants, or recipients, or former recipients of any financial assistance provided by the Comhairle would be disclosed.

Higher School Bursary Appeal: Case LAM

35

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an appeal by the mother of LAM, a pupil at Castlebay School, against a decision not to award a bursary on the basis that the academic attainment standard required had not been achieved. The financial implications of the appeal were outlined in the Report and the Sub-Committee was asked to determine the appeal.

It was agreed to determine the appeal as follows:

STUDENT SCHOOL DECISION

LAM Castlebay School Appeal upheld and maximum bursary to be awarded

Higher School Bursary Appeal: Case RM

36

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an appeal by the mother of RM, a pupil at Sir E Scott School, against a decision not to award a bursary on the basis that the academic attainment standard required had not been achieved. The financial implications of the appeal were outlined in the Report and the Sub-Committee was asked to determine the appeal.

It was agreed to determine the appeal as follows:

STUDENT SCHOOL DECISION

RM Sir E Scott School Appeal upheld and

maximum bursary to be

awarded.

Higher School Bursary Appeal: Case SM

37

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an appeal by the mother of SM, a pupil at Sir E Scott School, against a decision not to award a bursary on the basis that the academic attainment standard required had not been achieved. The financial implications of the appeal were outlined in the Report and the Sub-Committee was asked to determine the appeal.

It was agreed to determine the appeal as follows:

STUDENT SCHOOL DECISION

SM Sir E Scott School Appeal upheld and maximum bursary to be awarded.

Higher School Bursary Appeal: Case AM

38

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an appeal by the mother of AM, a pupil at Sir E Scott School, against a decision not to award a bursary on the basis that the academic attainment standard required had not been achieved. The financial implications of the appeal were outlined in the Report and the Sub-Committee was asked to determine the appeal.

It was agreed to determine the appeal as follows:

STUDENT SCHOOL DECISION

AM Sir E Scott School Appeal upheld and

maximum bursary to be awarded.

Higher School Bursary Appeal: Case SMP

39

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an appeal by the mother of SMP, a pupil at Sgoil Lionacleit, against a decision not to award a bursary on the basis that the academic attainment standard required had not been achieved. The financial implications of the appeal were outlined in the Report and the Sub-Committee was asked to determine the appeal.

It was agreed to determine the appeal as follows:

STUDENT SCHOOL DECISION

SMP Sgoil Lionacleit Appeal upheld and

maximum bursary to be awarded.

SUPPORT SERVICES

The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following items be considered as a matter of urgency in order that the following items may be considered.

It was agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds defined in Standing Order 26(c), namely, that exempt information relating to a particular applicant for a service provided by the Comhairle.

School Transport Appeal: Case BA10/99

40

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted appeals for School Transport from parents of pupils for whom free transport had been refused, on the grounds that the cases fell outwith the current policy for school transport.

The Sub-Committee proceeded to determine the appeals in the light of the information submitted by and on behalf of the appellants, the local member or parent, where appropriate, and the Departments of Technical Services and Education and Leisure Services as follows:

CASE AREA DECISION

BA10/99 Barra Appeal upheld on the grounds of

exceptional circumstances until the end of the academic school year 1999/2000

L50/99 Tong Appeal upheld on the grounds of

exceptional circumstances until the

end of the academic school year 1999/2000

___

PRESENT	Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-chairman)
	Mr Ian M Macleod
	Mr Philip R McLean	Mr Archibald K Campbell
	Mr Finlay Morrison	Mr David Blaney

		MINUTES
Education Sub-Committee	30	The minute of meeting of 28 October 1999 was approved.
		TEACHING STAFF
Establishment of Post of Assistant Principal Teacher at Sir E Scott School	31	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a report concerning the proposal to establish a post of Assistant Principal Teacher at Sir E Scott School. The background to the matter was outlined in the report. It was agreed to recommend that the proposal to establish a post of Assistant Principal Teacher at Sir E Scott School, be approved.
Retirement Benefits: IS	32	With reference to item 55 of the minute of meeting of the Education Committee of 9 March 1999 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning the additional payments of lump sum and pension payable to IS. It was agreed to recommend that the retirement benefits payable by the Comhairle to IS be amended as follows: (a) lump sum payable increases from £748.90 to £1007.09; and (b) pension payable increases from £441.02 to £593.07.
Compromise Agreement: Former Comhairle Employee AB	33	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning what action should be taken in relation to an article published in the Stornoway Gazette by a former employee of the Comhairle. It was detailed in the report that it appeared that some of the comments made and opinions expressed by AB were derogatory of the Comhairle. It was agreed to recommend that:
		(1) former employee AB be made aware that the Comhairle considers his comments to be in breach of his Compromise Agreement and unacceptable; and (2) in order not to exacerbate an already sensitive situation money should not be deducted from his pension in relation solely to the comments in (1) above.
Compromise Agreement: Former Comhairle Employee CD	34	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning what action should be taken in relation to a letter published in the Stornoway Gazette by a former employee of the Comhairle. It was detailed in the report that some of the comments made by CD appeared derogatory of the Comhairle. It was agreed to recommend that:
		(1) former employee CD be made aware that the Comhairle considers his comments to be in breach of his Compromise Agreement and unacceptable; and (2) in order not to exacerbate an already sensitive situation money should not be deducted from his pension in relation solely to the comments in (1) above.
		BURSARIES
		It was agreed that, in accordance with the provision of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds defined in Standing Order 26(d), namely, that exempt information relating to particular applicants, or recipients, or former recipients of any financial assistance provided by the Comhairle would be disclosed.
Higher School Bursary Appeal: Case LAM	35	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an appeal by the mother of LAM, a pupil at Castlebay School, against a decision not to award a bursary on the basis that the academic attainment standard required had not been achieved. The financial implications of the appeal were outlined in the Report and the Sub-Committee was asked to determine the appeal. It was agreed to determine the appeal as follows: STUDENT SCHOOL DECISION LAM Castlebay School Appeal upheld and maximum bursary to be awarded
Higher School Bursary Appeal: Case RM	36	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an appeal by the mother of RM, a pupil at Sir E Scott School, against a decision not to award a bursary on the basis that the academic attainment standard required had not been achieved. The financial implications of the appeal were outlined in the Report and the Sub-Committee was asked to determine the appeal. It was agreed to determine the appeal as follows: STUDENT SCHOOL DECISION RM Sir E Scott School Appeal upheld and maximum bursary to be awarded.
Higher School Bursary Appeal: Case SM	37	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an appeal by the mother of SM, a pupil at Sir E Scott School, against a decision not to award a bursary on the basis that the academic attainment standard required had not been achieved. The financial implications of the appeal were outlined in the Report and the Sub-Committee was asked to determine the appeal. It was agreed to determine the appeal as follows: STUDENT SCHOOL DECISION SM Sir E Scott School Appeal upheld and maximum bursary to be awarded.
Higher School Bursary Appeal: Case AM	38	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an appeal by the mother of AM, a pupil at Sir E Scott School, against a decision not to award a bursary on the basis that the academic attainment standard required had not been achieved. The financial implications of the appeal were outlined in the Report and the Sub-Committee was asked to determine the appeal. It was agreed to determine the appeal as follows: STUDENT SCHOOL DECISION AM Sir E Scott School Appeal upheld and maximum bursary to be awarded.
Higher School Bursary Appeal: Case SMP	39	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an appeal by the mother of SMP, a pupil at Sgoil Lionacleit, against a decision not to award a bursary on the basis that the academic attainment standard required had not been achieved. The financial implications of the appeal were outlined in the Report and the Sub-Committee was asked to determine the appeal. It was agreed to determine the appeal as follows: STUDENT SCHOOL DECISION SMP Sgoil Lionacleit Appeal upheld and maximum bursary to be awarded.
		SUPPORT SERVICES
		The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following items be considered as a matter of urgency in order that the following items may be considered.
		It was agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds defined in Standing Order 26(c), namely, that exempt information relating to a particular applicant for a service provided by the Comhairle.
School Transport Appeal: Case BA10/99	40	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted appeals for School Transport from parents of pupils for whom free transport had been refused, on the grounds that the cases fell outwith the current policy for school transport. The Sub-Committee proceeded to determine the appeals in the light of the information submitted by and on behalf of the appellants, the local member or parent, where appropriate, and the Departments of Technical Services and Education and Leisure Services as follows: CASE AREA DECISION BA10/99 Barra Appeal upheld on the grounds of exceptional circumstances until the end of the academic school year 1999/2000 L50/99 Tong Appeal upheld on the grounds of exceptional circumstances until the end of the academic school year 1999/2000