Med9907

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 20 July 1999 at 2.00 pm

PRESENT

Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)

Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-chairman)

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Archibald K Campbell

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr David Blaney

Mr Roderick J Murray

Rev John Macleod

Mr Philip R McLean

Mr Allan Smithyman

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Dr Alan J F Fraser

Prayer

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

EDUCATIONAL PROVISION

The Nicolson Institute - Judicial Review

E08.12

102

With reference to Item 92 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999, the Director of Corporate Services and the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Joint Report concerning the legal implications of the Court of Session decision to grant a Decree of Reduction of the Comhairle's decision to combine The Nicolson Institute and Lews Castle School on the grounds of the Comhairle having failed to consult The Nicolson Institute School Board.

The Chairman indicated that in the interests of transparency as much of the debate as possible would be conducted in public and invited the Members to present their views or ask questions.

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 paper on the grounds defined in Standing Order 26(a), namely, that exempt information relating to particular employees of the Comhairle would be disclosed.

Dr Alan J F Fraser, having declared an interest, left the Meeting during consideration of the remainder of this item.

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted an Appendix to the Report setting out a proposed Management Structure for The Nicolson Institute and Lews Castle School.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) an appeal be not lodged against Lord Maclean's decision to reduce the Comhairle's decision of 20 October 1998 to combine The Nicolson Institute and Lews Castle School;

(2) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submit a Report to the August 1999 Education Committee seeking authority to proceed with consultation on the future of secondary education in Stornoway; and

(3) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to implement the proposed Management Structures as set out in the Appendix of the Report on the basis of the advice received at the meeting.

___

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

Prayer		The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Donald I Nicholson.
		EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
The Nicolson Institute - Judicial Review E08.12	102	With reference to Item 92 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999, the Director of Corporate Services and the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Joint Report concerning the legal implications of the Court of Session decision to grant a Decree of Reduction of the Comhairle's decision to combine The Nicolson Institute and Lews Castle School on the grounds of the Comhairle having failed to consult The Nicolson Institute School Board. The Chairman indicated that in the interests of transparency as much of the debate as possible would be conducted in public and invited the Members to present their views or ask questions. 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 paper on the grounds defined in Standing Order 26(a), namely, that exempt information relating to particular employees of the Comhairle would be disclosed. Dr Alan J F Fraser, having declared an interest, left the Meeting during consideration of the remainder of this item.
		The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted an Appendix to the Report setting out a proposed Management Structure for The Nicolson Institute and Lews Castle School. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) an appeal be not lodged against Lord Maclean's decision to reduce the Comhairle's decision of 20 October 1998 to combine The Nicolson Institute and Lews Castle School;
		(2) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submit a Report to the August 1999 Education Committee seeking authority to proceed with consultation on the future of secondary education in Stornoway; and (3) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to implement the proposed Management Structures as set out in the Appendix of the Report on the basis of the advice received at the meeting.