MEDS9906

EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 30 June 1999 at 2.30 pm

PRESENT

Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)

Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Philip R McLean

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Archibald K Campbell

Mr David Blaney

CONSTITUTION

Election of Chairman

7

The Principal Administrator chaired the Meeting and called for nominations for Chairman of the Sub-Committee.

It was agreed to appoint Mr Norman L Macdonald as Chairman of the Sub-Committee.

Election of Vice-Chairman

8

The Chairman called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Sub-Committee.

It was agreed to appoint Mrs Morag Munro as Vice-Chairman of the Sub-Committee.

MINUTES

Education Sub-Committee

E08.10

9

The Minute of Meeting of 11 February 1999 was approved.

Education Sub-Committee

E08.10

10

The Minute of Meeting of 17 February 1999 was approved.

Education Sub-Committee

E08.10

11

The Minute of Meeting of 25 February 1999 was approved.

TEACHING STAFF

Appointment of Special Class Teacher, The Nicolson Institute

E02.27

12

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the appointment of a second Special Class teacher in The Nicolson Institute. The background of the matter was outlined in the Report.

It was agreed that the decision of the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services to appoint a full-time permanent Special Class teacher in The Nicolson Institute be homologated.

Appointment of Behaviour Support Teachers (1.5 FTE)

E06.01.09

13

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the appointment of 1.5 full time equivalent Behaviour Support Teachers for the period August 1999 - March 2000. The Report indicated that SOEID funding had been obtained for the posts for the period August 1999 - March 2000. The post holders would offer support to schools where pupils present significant behaviour problems.

It was agreed that the decision to appoint 1.5 full time equivalent Behaviour Support Teachers for the period August 1999 - March 2000 be homologated.

Establishment of Post of Assistant Principal Teacher of Guidance at The Nicolson Institute (Vocational Unit)

E06.01.09

14

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the establishment of a post of Assistant Principal Teacher of Guidance for the Vocational Unit of The Nicolson Institute. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report.

It was agreed that a post of Assistant Principal Teacher of Guidance in the Vocational Unit of The Nicolson Insitute be established.

Establishment of Three Curriculum Development Posts and one Gaelic Medium Teaching Post

E06.01.09

15

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the establishment of three Curriculum Development posts and one Gaelic Medium Teaching Post. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report.

It was agreed that three Curriculum Development posts and one Gaelic Medium teaching post be established.

Request of a New Gaelic Medium Unit

E09.03.08

16*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the request for a new Gaelic Medium Unit. The Report indicated that a request for the establishment of a Gaelic Medium Unit had been received from parents in Eriskay but that the number requesting such a facility did not fall within the stated policy of the Comhairle.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) a Gaelic Medium Unit be established at Eriskay School;

(2) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services identify the funding required within the Education budget or failing which provision be made from the contingency; and

(3) representations be made to the relevant Government Ministers for financial support for the Unit as a special case.

Leave of Absence - Teacher, Balivanich Primary School, Benbecula

E06.01.01

17

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for leave of absence from a Teacher in Balivanich Primary School. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report.

It was agreed that the action taken by the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services in agreeing to a leave of absence for MC for two school terms commencing the end of August 1999, be homologated.

SUPPORT SERVICES

School Transport - Policy Aspects

E05.01

18

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the policy aspects relating to school transport. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report.

It was agreed to note the Report.

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 in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as defined in Standing Order 26(c), namely, information relating to any particular applicant for a service provided by the Comhairle.

School Transport Appeals

E05.01.22

19*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted appeals for School Transport for parents of pupils for whom free transport has 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

L30/99 Shawbost Appeal not upheld.

L32/99 Braighe Appeal upheld.

L31/99 Coll Appeal not upheld.

L28/99 Plasterfield Appeal upheld.

L33/99 Knock & Bayble Appeal not upheld.

L34/99 Castle Appeal upheld.

SU23/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld.

SU21/99 Loch Eynort Appeal be upheld for the period of primary schooling.

SU22/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld.

SU29/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld.

SU27/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal upheld.

SU28/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld.

SU26/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld.

SU25/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld.

NU08/99 Lochmaddy Appeal upheld.

SU24/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal not upheld.

SU31/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld.

SU30/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld.

The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 (a) that the following items be considered as a matter of urgency in order to enable the Comhairle to notify the appellants of its decision prior to the new school session.

CASE AREA DECISION

L35/99 Gress Appeal upheld.

L36/99 Gress Appeal upheld.

L37/99 Gress Appeal upheld.

NU09/99 Paible Appeal not upheld.

SU37/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal upheld.

SU33/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal upheld.

SU36/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal upheld.

SU35/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal upheld.

NU10/99 Lochmaddy Appeal upheld.

SU32/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld.

SU34/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal not upheld.

SU38/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal not upheld.

L38/99 Shawbost Defer consideration of the appeal and

refer the appeal to the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services for consideration on medical grounds.

L39/99 Shawbost Defer consideration of the appeal and

refer the appeal to the Acting

Director of Education and Leisure

Services for consideration on medical grounds.

L40/99 Shawbost Defer consideration of the appeal and

refer the appeal to the Acting Director

of Education and Leisure Services for consideration on medical grounds.

SU39/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld

It was further agreed to recommend that all pupils completing Secondary 1 in July 1999 going into Secondary 2 who currently attend Sgoil Lionacleit due to placing requests be given free school transport on current contractual routes for the school session 1999/2000.

The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 (a) that the following items be considered as a matter of urgency in order to enable the Comhairle to homologate action already taken.

Secondment of Teacher to Proiseact nan Ealan

E06.01

20

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a decision to agree to the secondment of a teacher to Proiseact nan Ealan. The background to the matter was oultined.

It was agreed that the action of the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services in agreeing to the secondment of MS to Proiseact nan Ealan for a period of two years be homologated.

___

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

		CONSTITUTION
Election of Chairman	7	The Principal Administrator chaired the Meeting and called for nominations for Chairman of the Sub-Committee. It was agreed to appoint Mr Norman L Macdonald as Chairman of the Sub-Committee.
Election of Vice-Chairman	8	The Chairman called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Sub-Committee. It was agreed to appoint Mrs Morag Munro as Vice-Chairman of the Sub-Committee.
		MINUTES
Education Sub-Committee E08.10	9	The Minute of Meeting of 11 February 1999 was approved.
Education Sub-Committee E08.10	10	The Minute of Meeting of 17 February 1999 was approved.
Education Sub-Committee E08.10	11	The Minute of Meeting of 25 February 1999 was approved.
		TEACHING STAFF
Appointment of Special Class Teacher, The Nicolson Institute E02.27	12	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the appointment of a second Special Class teacher in The Nicolson Institute. The background of the matter was outlined in the Report. It was agreed that the decision of the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services to appoint a full-time permanent Special Class teacher in The Nicolson Institute be homologated.
Appointment of Behaviour Support Teachers (1.5 FTE) E06.01.09	13	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the appointment of 1.5 full time equivalent Behaviour Support Teachers for the period August 1999 - March 2000. The Report indicated that SOEID funding had been obtained for the posts for the period August 1999 - March 2000. The post holders would offer support to schools where pupils present significant behaviour problems.
		It was agreed that the decision to appoint 1.5 full time equivalent Behaviour Support Teachers for the period August 1999 - March 2000 be homologated.
Establishment of Post of Assistant Principal Teacher of Guidance at The Nicolson Institute (Vocational Unit) E06.01.09	14	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the establishment of a post of Assistant Principal Teacher of Guidance for the Vocational Unit of The Nicolson Institute. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report. It was agreed that a post of Assistant Principal Teacher of Guidance in the Vocational Unit of The Nicolson Insitute be established.
Establishment of Three Curriculum Development Posts and one Gaelic Medium Teaching Post E06.01.09	15	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the establishment of three Curriculum Development posts and one Gaelic Medium Teaching Post. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report. It was agreed that three Curriculum Development posts and one Gaelic Medium teaching post be established.
Request of a New Gaelic Medium Unit E09.03.08	16*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the request for a new Gaelic Medium Unit. The Report indicated that a request for the establishment of a Gaelic Medium Unit had been received from parents in Eriskay but that the number requesting such a facility did not fall within the stated policy of the Comhairle. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) a Gaelic Medium Unit be established at Eriskay School; (2) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services identify the funding required within the Education budget or failing which provision be made from the contingency; and (3) representations be made to the relevant Government Ministers for financial support for the Unit as a special case.
Leave of Absence - Teacher, Balivanich Primary School, Benbecula E06.01.01	17	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for leave of absence from a Teacher in Balivanich Primary School. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report. It was agreed that the action taken by the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services in agreeing to a leave of absence for MC for two school terms commencing the end of August 1999, be homologated.
		SUPPORT SERVICES
School Transport - Policy Aspects E05.01	18	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the policy aspects relating to school transport. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report. It was agreed to note the Report.
		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 in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as defined in Standing Order 26(c), namely, information relating to any particular applicant for a service provided by the Comhairle.
School Transport Appeals E05.01.22	19*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted appeals for School Transport for parents of pupils for whom free transport has 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 L30/99 Shawbost Appeal not upheld. L32/99 Braighe Appeal upheld. L31/99 Coll Appeal not upheld. L28/99 Plasterfield Appeal upheld. L33/99 Knock & Bayble Appeal not upheld. L34/99 Castle Appeal upheld.
		SU23/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld. SU21/99 Loch Eynort Appeal be upheld for the period of primary schooling. SU22/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld. SU29/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld. SU27/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal upheld. SU28/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld. SU26/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld. SU25/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld. NU08/99 Lochmaddy Appeal upheld. SU24/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal not upheld. SU31/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld. SU30/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld.
		The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 (a) that the following items be considered as a matter of urgency in order to enable the Comhairle to notify the appellants of its decision prior to the new school session.
		CASE AREA DECISION L35/99 Gress Appeal upheld. L36/99 Gress Appeal upheld. L37/99 Gress Appeal upheld. NU09/99 Paible Appeal not upheld. SU37/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal upheld. SU33/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal upheld. SU36/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal upheld. SU35/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal upheld. NU10/99 Lochmaddy Appeal upheld. SU32/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld. SU34/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal not upheld. SU38/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal not upheld.
		L38/99 Shawbost Defer consideration of the appeal and refer the appeal to the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services for consideration on medical grounds. L39/99 Shawbost Defer consideration of the appeal and refer the appeal to the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services for consideration on medical grounds. L40/99 Shawbost Defer consideration of the appeal and refer the appeal to the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services for consideration on medical grounds. SU39/99 Loch Eynort Appeal upheld
		It was further agreed to recommend that all pupils completing Secondary 1 in July 1999 going into Secondary 2 who currently attend Sgoil Lionacleit due to placing requests be given free school transport on current contractual routes for the school session 1999/2000. The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 (a) that the following items be considered as a matter of urgency in order to enable the Comhairle to homologate action already taken.
Secondment of Teacher to Proiseact nan Ealan E06.01	20	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a decision to agree to the secondment of a teacher to Proiseact nan Ealan. The background to the matter was oultined. It was agreed that the action of the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services in agreeing to the secondment of MS to Proiseact nan Ealan for a period of two years be homologated.