Med9908

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on 17 August 1999 at 2.00 pm

PRESENT

Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)

Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-chairman)

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Archibald K Campbell

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr David Blaney

Mr Ian M Macleod

Rev John Macleod

Mr Roderick J Murray

Rev Donald Macdonald

Mr Philip R McLean

Rev Andrew W F Coghill

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mrs Catherine Garbutt

Mr Norman M Macleod

Dr Allan J F Fraser

Mr Finlay Morrison

APOLOGIES

Mr Allan Smithyman

Prayer

The Meeting was opened with Prayer led by Rev Andrew W F Coghill.

MINUTES

Education Committee

E02.01

103

The Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 was approved.

Education Committee

E02.01

104

The Minute of Meeting of 20 July 1999 was approved.

Education Sub-Committee

E08.10

105*

The Minute of Meeting of the Education Sub-Committee of 30 June 1999 was submitted.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at items 16 and 19 of the Minute.

Lochs School Sub-Committee

E08.12

106

The Minute of Meeting of the Lochs School Sub-Committee of 30 June 1999 was noted.

Education Appointments Panel

E08.09

107

The Minute of Meeting of the Education Appointments Panel of 21 June 1999 was noted.

Education Appointments Panel

E08.09

108

The Minute of Meeting of the Education Appointments Panel of 22 June 1999 was noted.

Gaelic Development Sub-Committee

PR03.05.22

109

The Minute of Meeting of the Gaelic Development Sub-Committee of 29 June 1999 was approved.

FINANCE

Quarterly Forecast Out-turn: June 1999

110

With reference to Item 42 of the Minute of Meeting of 14 June 1999, the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the income and revenue expenditure incurred for education, for the three months ended 30 June 1999 and comparing such income and expenditure with the Revenue Estimates for Income and Expenditure for the period.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Non-Housing Capital Monitoring: 1 April 1999 - 30 June 1999

PR110.05

111*

The Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period 1 April to 30 June 1999 for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report detailed the approved expenditure and estimated outturn expenditure for the financial year 1999/2000 for each service. It was noted that the forecast outturn for 1999/2000 was £52,000 below the initial approved programme of £14,856,000. A summary of the variance was set out in the Report. Details of the Capital Programme, together with proposed revisions were appended to the Report.

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

(1) the forecast outturn expenditure on the Capital Programme 1998/99 of £14,856,000 as detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance be approved as the revised programme for 1999/2000; and

(2) the South Uist Care Development be incorporated into the Programme and funded from £50,000 of existing resources within the Capital Programme.

Budget Strategy 2000-2003

112

The Principal Administrator sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.

The Future Capital Programme

E03

113*

The Director of Finance submitted a Report setting out proposals for the future capital planning process. The methods used to determine the Capital Programmes for 1999/2000 was outlined in the Report, together with a review of the process. The methods used by a number of authorities to determine their Capital Programmes were set out. Projected capital resources for the period 2000/2001 to 2002/2003 were appended to the Report. Proposals for managing the Capital Programme and its projects and for allocating resources through a combined core funding and bidding process, including a suggested policy framework, were outlined in the Report, together with a proposed timetable for determining the Capital Programme 2000-2003.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) a Seminar be held for Members of the Comhairle to discuss the proposals set out in the Report regarding future capital planning, with the Report by the Director of Finance to form the basis of discussion at the Seminar;

(2) a further Report on future capital planning be submitted to take account of the views expressed at the Seminar; and

(3) Members of the Comhairle be surveyed in January or February 2000 as to the success or otherwise of the process of setting the capital programme.

BUILDINGS

Capital Works Programme and Progress

E03

114

With reference to Item 78 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report regarding the Capital Works Programme and Progress in respect of education properties.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 1999/2000 Quarterly Expenditure Report to 30 June 1999

E03

115

With reference to Item 79 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme for 1999/2000: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 30 June 1999 in respect of education properties.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Capital Expenditure Programme - Emergency Structural Repairs

E03.14

116*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the action taken in respect of the Capital Expenditure Programme - Emergency Structural Repairs budget. The Report detailed that two urgent items which require remedial action have arisen. The first item being the replacement of the cold water storage system at Crowlista School, Uig, at an estimated cost of £10k and the second item being the replacement of boiler and controls at Scalpay School, at an estimated cost of £35k.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the action taken by the Director of Technical Services in respect of work at Crowlista and Scalpay Schools as detailed in the Report be homologated; and

(2) expenditure of £45k from the Education Capital Programme - Emergency Structural Repairs be approved.

HORSA Buildings - Various Schools

E02

117*

With reference to Item 80 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning HORSA Buildings at Various Schools. The Report provided additional information in respect of a previous Report and sought approval of a strategy in respect of these buildings.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the action taken with regard to the structural surveys identified in the previous Report be homologated; and

(2) a policy whereby the existing HORSA Buildings identified in the Report by the Director of Technical Services be considered for replacement, where necessary in the context of the Schools Asset Management Plan, and be not considered for major refurbishment, subject in the first instance to examination of the option of providing the replacement accommodation within the existing school main building, be approved.

Mr Donald I Nicholson declared an interest and withdrew from the Meeting during consideration of the following item.

Schools Boiler Plant Replacement Programme

E03.11

118*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the replacement of all school boilerplant. The estimated cost of replacement was £2.2 million. If this was to be carried out as a continual rolling programme of replacement the cost would be £130k per annum. The Report proposed that a continual programme of boiler replacement be established.

It was agreed to recommend that a Project Initiation Report be prepared for consideration for the inclusion of £130k in the 2000/01 Capital Programme and in all subsequent years.

EDUCATIONAL PROVISION

Review of Secondary Education in Stornoway - August 1999

E08.12

119*

With reference to Item 102 of the Minute of Meeting of 20 July 1999 the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a future review of secondary education in Stornoway. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report, together with proposals to progress the review.

It was agreed to recommend the process leading to formal consultation on the possible combination of Lews Castle School and The Nicolson Institute be initiated through the formation of a Member Officer Working Group, with the membership to be as detailed in Section 8 of the Report, with a remit to produce a draft consultation document for presentation to the Education Committee on 30 November 1999 subject to the addition of a Teachers Representative to the membership of the Working Group to be nominated by the staff side of the Teaching Staff: Joint Consultative Committee.

SUPPORT SERVICES

The Issue of Genetically Modified Foods: School Canteens, Comhairle Cafeterias, Residential Care Homes and Day Centres

CH03.01

120*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services and the Director of Social Work submitted a Joint Report concerning the issue of genetically modified foods in school canteens, Comhairle cafeterias, residential care homes and day centres. It was highlighted in the Report that it was appropriate for the Comhairle to take a policy stance on the issue of GM foods as both the Education and Social Work Departments were key providers of food.

It was agreed to recommend that a policy stance of opposition to the sale or provision of Genetically Modified Foods in School Canteens, Comhairle Cafeterias, Residential Care Homes and Day Centre be adopted.

Mr Iain Morrison declared an interest and withdrew from the Meeting during consideration of the following item.

It was agreed that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the Press and Public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds defined in Standing Order 26(f) and (h), namely, that exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of particular persons other than the Comhairle and the amount of expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle for the supply of services would be disclosed.

Special Needs School Transport

E05.01

121*

With reference to Item 2 of the Minute of Meeting of the Education and Transportation Joint Sub-Committee of 10 March 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the results of the recent tendering process for special needs school transport. The Report indicated that an assessment of all special needs transport had been completed and that tenders had been issued for contracts covering a range of options. The results from the tendering of these contracts was presented to the Committee at the meeting.

It was agreed to recommend that the Direcor of Corporate Services be authorised to accept and provide special needs school transport submitted by the following Operators:

CONTRACT TENDER ESCORT

NUMBER OPERATOR PRICE (per day) PRICE (per day)

XSY1 Galson Motors £85.00 £20.00

XSY2 Galson Motors £14.90 £10.00

XSY3 A I F Munro £50.00 £15.00

HA14 Harris Coaches £108.00

XBV1 A Lindsay £60.00 £14.00

Reports Outstanding: Progress

PR33.01.12

122

With reference to Item 101 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning Reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

___

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

APOLOGIES	Mr Allan Smithyman

Prayer		The Meeting was opened with Prayer led by Rev Andrew W F Coghill.
		MINUTES
Education Committee E02.01	103	The Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 was approved.
Education Committee E02.01	104	The Minute of Meeting of 20 July 1999 was approved.
Education Sub-Committee E08.10	105*	The Minute of Meeting of the Education Sub-Committee of 30 June 1999 was submitted. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at items 16 and 19 of the Minute.
Lochs School Sub-Committee E08.12	106	The Minute of Meeting of the Lochs School Sub-Committee of 30 June 1999 was noted.
Education Appointments Panel E08.09	107	The Minute of Meeting of the Education Appointments Panel of 21 June 1999 was noted.
Education Appointments Panel E08.09	108	The Minute of Meeting of the Education Appointments Panel of 22 June 1999 was noted.
Gaelic Development Sub-Committee PR03.05.22	109	The Minute of Meeting of the Gaelic Development Sub-Committee of 29 June 1999 was approved.
		FINANCE
Quarterly Forecast Out-turn: June 1999	110	With reference to Item 42 of the Minute of Meeting of 14 June 1999, the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the income and revenue expenditure incurred for education, for the three months ended 30 June 1999 and comparing such income and expenditure with the Revenue Estimates for Income and Expenditure for the period.
		It was agreed to note the Report.
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring: 1 April 1999 - 30 June 1999 PR110.05	111*	The Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period 1 April to 30 June 1999 for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report detailed the approved expenditure and estimated outturn expenditure for the financial year 1999/2000 for each service. It was noted that the forecast outturn for 1999/2000 was £52,000 below the initial approved programme of £14,856,000. A summary of the variance was set out in the Report. Details of the Capital Programme, together with proposed revisions were appended to the Report.
		It was agreed to recommend for the Committee's interest that:
		(1) the forecast outturn expenditure on the Capital Programme 1998/99 of £14,856,000 as detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance be approved as the revised programme for 1999/2000; and
		(2) the South Uist Care Development be incorporated into the Programme and funded from £50,000 of existing resources within the Capital Programme.
Budget Strategy 2000-2003	112	The Principal Administrator sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.
The Future Capital Programme E03	113*	The Director of Finance submitted a Report setting out proposals for the future capital planning process. The methods used to determine the Capital Programmes for 1999/2000 was outlined in the Report, together with a review of the process. The methods used by a number of authorities to determine their Capital Programmes were set out. Projected capital resources for the period 2000/2001 to 2002/2003 were appended to the Report. Proposals for managing the Capital Programme and its projects and for allocating resources through a combined core funding and bidding process, including a suggested policy framework, were outlined in the Report, together with a proposed timetable for determining the Capital Programme 2000-2003.
		It was agreed to recommend that:
		(1) a Seminar be held for Members of the Comhairle to discuss the proposals set out in the Report regarding future capital planning, with the Report by the Director of Finance to form the basis of discussion at the Seminar;
		(2) a further Report on future capital planning be submitted to take account of the views expressed at the Seminar; and
		(3) Members of the Comhairle be surveyed in January or February 2000 as to the success or otherwise of the process of setting the capital programme.

		BUILDINGS
Capital Works Programme and Progress E03	114	With reference to Item 78 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report regarding the Capital Works Programme and Progress in respect of education properties. It was agreed to note the Report.
Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 1999/2000 Quarterly Expenditure Report to 30 June 1999 E03	115	With reference to Item 79 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme for 1999/2000: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 30 June 1999 in respect of education properties. It was agreed to note the Report.
Capital Expenditure Programme - Emergency Structural Repairs E03.14	116*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the action taken in respect of the Capital Expenditure Programme - Emergency Structural Repairs budget. The Report detailed that two urgent items which require remedial action have arisen. The first item being the replacement of the cold water storage system at Crowlista School, Uig, at an estimated cost of £10k and the second item being the replacement of boiler and controls at Scalpay School, at an estimated cost of £35k. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the action taken by the Director of Technical Services in respect of work at Crowlista and Scalpay Schools as detailed in the Report be homologated; and (2) expenditure of £45k from the Education Capital Programme - Emergency Structural Repairs be approved.
HORSA Buildings - Various Schools E02	117*	With reference to Item 80 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning HORSA Buildings at Various Schools. The Report provided additional information in respect of a previous Report and sought approval of a strategy in respect of these buildings. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the action taken with regard to the structural surveys identified in the previous Report be homologated; and (2) a policy whereby the existing HORSA Buildings identified in the Report by the Director of Technical Services be considered for replacement, where necessary in the context of the Schools Asset Management Plan, and be not considered for major refurbishment, subject in the first instance to examination of the option of providing the replacement accommodation within the existing school main building, be approved.
		Mr Donald I Nicholson declared an interest and withdrew from the Meeting during consideration of the following item.
Schools Boiler Plant Replacement Programme E03.11	118*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the replacement of all school boilerplant. The estimated cost of replacement was £2.2 million. If this was to be carried out as a continual rolling programme of replacement the cost would be £130k per annum. The Report proposed that a continual programme of boiler replacement be established. It was agreed to recommend that a Project Initiation Report be prepared for consideration for the inclusion of £130k in the 2000/01 Capital Programme and in all subsequent years.
		EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
Review of Secondary Education in Stornoway - August 1999 E08.12	119*	With reference to Item 102 of the Minute of Meeting of 20 July 1999 the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a future review of secondary education in Stornoway. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report, together with proposals to progress the review. It was agreed to recommend the process leading to formal consultation on the possible combination of Lews Castle School and The Nicolson Institute be initiated through the formation of a Member Officer Working Group, with the membership to be as detailed in Section 8 of the Report, with a remit to produce a draft consultation document for presentation to the Education Committee on 30 November 1999 subject to the addition of a Teachers Representative to the membership of the Working Group to be nominated by the staff side of the Teaching Staff: Joint Consultative Committee.
		SUPPORT SERVICES
The Issue of Genetically Modified Foods: School Canteens, Comhairle Cafeterias, Residential Care Homes and Day Centres CH03.01	120*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services and the Director of Social Work submitted a Joint Report concerning the issue of genetically modified foods in school canteens, Comhairle cafeterias, residential care homes and day centres. It was highlighted in the Report that it was appropriate for the Comhairle to take a policy stance on the issue of GM foods as both the Education and Social Work Departments were key providers of food. It was agreed to recommend that a policy stance of opposition to the sale or provision of Genetically Modified Foods in School Canteens, Comhairle Cafeterias, Residential Care Homes and Day Centre be adopted.
		Mr Iain Morrison declared an interest and withdrew from the Meeting during consideration of the following item.
		It was agreed that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the Press and Public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds defined in Standing Order 26(f) and (h), namely, that exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of particular persons other than the Comhairle and the amount of expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle for the supply of services would be disclosed.
Special Needs School Transport E05.01	121*	With reference to Item 2 of the Minute of Meeting of the Education and Transportation Joint Sub-Committee of 10 March 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the results of the recent tendering process for special needs school transport. The Report indicated that an assessment of all special needs transport had been completed and that tenders had been issued for contracts covering a range of options. The results from the tendering of these contracts was presented to the Committee at the meeting. It was agreed to recommend that the Direcor of Corporate Services be authorised to accept and provide special needs school transport submitted by the following Operators: CONTRACT TENDER ESCORT NUMBER OPERATOR PRICE (per day) PRICE (per day) XSY1 Galson Motors £85.00 £20.00 XSY2 Galson Motors £14.90 £10.00 XSY3 A I F Munro £50.00 £15.00 HA14 Harris Coaches £108.00 XBV1 A Lindsay £60.00 £14.00
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12	122	With reference to Item 101 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning Reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.