Meds9909

EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 8 September 1999 at 10.00am

PRESENT

Mrs Morag Munro (Vice-chairman), (In the chair)

Mr Philip R McLean

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Archibald K Campbell

Mr David Blaney

APOLOGIES

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Malcolm J Graham

MINUTES

Education Sub-Committee

E08.10

21

The Minute of Meeting of 30 June 1999 was approved.

TEACHING STAFF

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(a), namely, information relating to a particular employee of the Comhairle would be disclosed.

Retirement: Teaching Staff

E06.03.07

22

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding an application for Voluntary Early Retirement on compassionate grounds from a member of teaching staff. The background to the matter was set out in the Report.

It was agreed that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to grant Voluntary Early Retirement to teacher DS on compassionate grounds on the basis of the terms and benefits detailed in the Report by the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services.

Establishment of Posts: Home Link Teachers

E06.01.09

23

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report setting out proposals to establish two posts of Home Link Teachers. It was stated that a bid submitted under the excellence fund for 1.5 full time equivalent (FTE) Home Link Teachers for the period 1999-2002 had been successful. It was proposed that 1 FTE post be based in Stornoway and 0.5 FTE post in Benbecula. It was indicated that the Posts would complement the existing Early Intervention Programme established in 1997 and the work of the Pre-5 Team.

It was agreed that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to establish 1.5 FTE Home Link Teachers on the basis set out in his Report, for the period to 31 March 2002.

EDUCATIONAL PROVISION

Designation of Schools as Gaelic Schools

E01.01.24

24

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report setting out the outcome of consultations with Communities regarding proposals to designate appropriate schools as Gaelic Schools. It was noted that consultation meetings had been held in Lionel, Stoneybridge and Uig and strong support had been expressed at the meetings in favour of the proposal. It was indicated that the gaelic medium roll at each school was significantly higher in percentage terms than the bilingual roll.

It was agreed to designate Lionel, Stoneybridge and Uig Primary Schools as Gaelic Schools.

SUPPORT SERVICES

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

25*

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

L42/99 Coll Appeal not upheld

L43/99 Coll Appeal not upheld

L44/99 Coll Appeal not upheld

L45/99 Newton Appeal not upheld

H1/99 Harris East Appeal not upheld

SU39/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld

SU40/99 Benbecula North Appeal upheld

SU41/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld

SU42/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal not upheld

SU43/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal not upheld

SU44/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld

Arising out of consideration of this matter, it was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services and Director of Technical Services be authorised to undertake a review of the operation of the school transport policy to seek to gain a measure of flexibility in determining entitlement to school transport; and

(2) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to undertake a review of the catchment areas of Secondary Schools.

___

		MINUTES
Education Sub-Committee E08.10	21	The Minute of Meeting of 30 June 1999 was approved.
		TEACHING STAFF
		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(a), namely, information relating to a particular employee of the Comhairle would be disclosed.
Retirement: Teaching Staff E06.03.07	22	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding an application for Voluntary Early Retirement on compassionate grounds from a member of teaching staff. The background to the matter was set out in the Report. It was agreed that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to grant Voluntary Early Retirement to teacher DS on compassionate grounds on the basis of the terms and benefits detailed in the Report by the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services.
Establishment of Posts: Home Link Teachers E06.01.09	23	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report setting out proposals to establish two posts of Home Link Teachers. It was stated that a bid submitted under the excellence fund for 1.5 full time equivalent (FTE) Home Link Teachers for the period 1999-2002 had been successful. It was proposed that 1 FTE post be based in Stornoway and 0.5 FTE post in Benbecula. It was indicated that the Posts would complement the existing Early Intervention Programme established in 1997 and the work of the Pre-5 Team. It was agreed that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to establish 1.5 FTE Home Link Teachers on the basis set out in his Report, for the period to 31 March 2002.

		EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
Designation of Schools as Gaelic Schools E01.01.24	24	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report setting out the outcome of consultations with Communities regarding proposals to designate appropriate schools as Gaelic Schools. It was noted that consultation meetings had been held in Lionel, Stoneybridge and Uig and strong support had been expressed at the meetings in favour of the proposal. It was indicated that the gaelic medium roll at each school was significantly higher in percentage terms than the bilingual roll. It was agreed to designate Lionel, Stoneybridge and Uig Primary Schools as Gaelic Schools.
		SUPPORT SERVICES
		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	25*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted appeals for school transport received from parents of pupils for whom free school transport had been refused, on the grounds that the cases fell outwith the current policy on 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 L42/99 Coll Appeal not upheld L43/99 Coll Appeal not upheld L44/99 Coll Appeal not upheld L45/99 Newton Appeal not upheld H1/99 Harris East Appeal not upheld SU39/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld SU40/99 Benbecula North Appeal upheld SU41/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld SU42/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal not upheld SU43/99 Daliburgh & Eriskay Appeal not upheld SU44/99 Loch Eynort Appeal not upheld
		Arising out of consideration of this matter, it was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services and Director of Technical Services be authorised to undertake a review of the operation of the school transport policy to seek to gain a measure of flexibility in determining entitlement to school transport; and (2) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to undertake a review of the catchment areas of Secondary Schools.