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December Update

• At the December meeting of the Education Committee it was agreed to change the name of the project to Western Isles Schools Project (WISP).
  
  
• Initial costs of the various Nicolson Institute options were presented to the Comhairle’s December meeting and it was resolved that further investigations be carried out by the SPV, with a view to reporting back to a future meeting of the Comhairle. 
  
  
• The inaugural meeting of the SPV Board has taken place.  Membership of the Board consists of:-

Vice-Convenor Angus Campbell (Chair)
Convenor Alex A Macdonald
Councillor Norman A Macdonald
Councillor Donald Manford
Alistair Barn (Independent Director)
Chris Banks (Independent Director)

• The SPV Board hope to appoint a Head of SPV by the beginning of February
  
  
• The Project Manager attended a meeting with Balivanich School Parent Council on 11 December 2007 and obtained their views on the three shortlisted sites and on a further site promoted at the meeting by Councillor Martin Taylor.  Topographical sites have been completed on the three shortlisted sites and it is anticipated that further ground investigations will be carried out by the SPV.
  
  
• Evaluation of the Design Team bids was concluded in accordance with the Tender timetable and the Comhairle has delegated authority to appoint the Design Team to the Chief Executive, subject to funding being available and the SPV Board being happy with the appointment.  The SPV Board are currently considering the evaluation report. 
  
  
• It is proposed that as the SPV Board is now in existence that the Design contract be awarded from the outset by the SPV and not, as originally envisaged, awarded by the Comhairle and novated to the SPV.
  
  
• In order to maintain momentum, despite no formal appointment being made, an initial information sharing workshop was held in December with the selected PSDP and further workshops are proposed for the end of January.
  
  
• Following the visits by Comhairle teachers to mainland schools at the end of October 2007, the Education Consultants are meeting with the teachers again on 18 January and will also meet with Education Officers of the Comhairle in order to progress the Comhairle’s initial specification for the schools.