Minutes of Meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 12 November 2009 at 10.30 am.
Present:
Mr W Fernie, Mr A M Millar, Ms L Munro, Lady Thurso, Mrs D Mackay, Mrs I Campbell, Dr A Sinclair, Mrs J Urquhart, Mr M Finlayson, Ms M Smith, Mrs M E Paterson, Mr E Hunter, Mr D Hendry, Mrs E McAllister, Mr K MacLeod, Mr R A C Balfour, Mr L Fraser, Ms J Douglas, Dr M E M Foxley, Mr B Gormley, Mr A MacLean, Mr M Monahan.
Non-Members also present:
Mr G Farlow, Mr D Mackay, Mr J Rosie, Mr G M Smith, Mr D C M Flear, Mr J McGillivray, Mr W J Ross, Mr M Rattray, Mr R Durham, Mr A Rhind, Dr D Alston, Mrs I McCallum, Mr H Fraser, Mrs M C Davidson, Mrs P Munro, Mr J Gray, Mr R Pedersen, Mr D Fallows.
In attendance:
Mr H Fraser, Director of Education, Culture and Sport
Mr R MacKenzie, Head of Support Services, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr I Murray, Head of Community Learning and Leisure, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr B Hemming, Estate Strategy Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr T McCulloch, Quality Improvement Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mrs L Jones, Health Promoting Schools Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Ms B Dunthorne, Finance Manager, Finance Service
Mr R Campbell, Principal Projects Manager, Housing and Property Service
Miss J Maclennan, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Miss M Murray, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council. All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to Committee.
Mr W Fernie in the Chair
Business
Preliminaries
Mr A MacLean opened the meeting with a prayer.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Ms K MacNab (OCB), Mr C Fraser, Mr H Wood, Mr A S Park, Rev D Kay and Rev A Glass.
2. Successes
The Committee NOTED a tabled list of recent successes in the Education, Culture and Sport Service.
3. Revenue Budget 2009/10 - Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No ECS-47-09 dated 31 October 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the Revenue Budget monitoring position for the period 1 April 2009 to 30 September 2009, highlighting known budget pressures and proposed compensatory savings measures. Details of progress with the achievement of the outstanding budget savings targets for 2008/09 and 2009/10 were also provided. The report indicated that the current estimated year-end outturn position was an underspend of £0.010m.
Speaking to the report, the Head of Support Services highlighted that, in relation to devolved school budgets, there had been a reduction in the number of schools categorised as red under the ‘traffic light’ system used to indicate their financial position. Members congratulated officials on the progress which had been made and emphasised the importance of continuing to work with Head Teachers to ensure that budget targets were met in the future.
During discussion, clarification was sought on a number of specific points. In relation to the Education, Culture and Sport administration budget, the Head of Support Services undertook to provide a detailed explanation of the figures, including clarification of the “year to date” and “year end estimate” amounts.
Thereafter, the Committee:-
i. AGREED the corrective actions to off-set known budget pressures as
detailed in the report;
ii. AGREED that progress on recovering the position of schools in deficit be
reported to the Committee during the remainder of the financial year;
iii. NOTED the progress being made with the outstanding budget savings
targets; and
iv. AGREED that detailed information on the Education, Culture and Sport
administration budget, including clarification of the “year to date” and “year
end estimate” figures, be provided to Members of the Committee.
4. Capital Expenditure 2009/10 – Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No ECS-48-09 dated 31 October 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the Capital Programme net expenditure position for the period 1 April 2009 to 30 September 2009 and progress with major projects, including the completion of extensions to Nairn Academy and Grantown Grammar School using modular construction techniques. The report indicated that the current estimated year-end outturn position was an overspend of £0.175m.
The report also sought approval of a proposed two classroom extension to Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis and proposed investment at Glenurquhart Primary School to meet community demand for Gaelic provision. In addition, Members were informed of progress with the technical feasibility study currently underway at Wick High School and how the outcome would inform the proposed replacement/major refurbishment of the school.
The Chairman highlighted that Item 11 on the agenda sought approval to carry out a statutory consultation on Gaelic Medium provision at Glenurquhart Primary School. There could be no presumption that Gaelic Medium provision would proceed and he proposed that the recommendation be amended to make it clear that an outline business case would not be prepared until the outcome of the consultation was known.
In response to questions, the Director explained the rationale behind the preparation of outline business cases for specific capital projects. It was confirmed that Cromarty Primary School was in the Education, Culture and Sport Capital Programme as a future years project with no defined timescale and therefore had not been included in the latest round of business cases. However, as it did sit within the Programme, a business case would be prepared at some stage in the future.
Thereafter, the Committee AGREED that:-
i. the approved £1.0m investment at Wick High School be reviewed and
that only essential investment, as set out in the report, be incurred;
ii. Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis be extended by two classrooms to address
emerging accommodation pressures, that Officers enter into discussions
with the Depute Chief Executive and Director of Finance to determine how
this project could be progressed within the terms of the PPP2 contractual
arrangements and the related best value funding options and that these
options be presented to Members for consideration at the Education,
Culture and Sport Committee meeting on 14 January 2010; and
iii. in response to a viable local demand for Gaelic Medium education, and in
line with Council policy, an outline business case be produced for additional
accommodation at Glenurquhart Primary School, as outlined in the report,
for consideration thereafter within the corporate capital review process,
following and in line with the outcome of a statutory consultation on the
proposal to establish Gaelic Medium provision in Glenurquhart Primary
School, Drumnadrochit.
5. School Building Programme
There had been circulated Report No ECS-49-09 dated 26 October 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which outlined the content of the provisional submission to the Scottish Government, required by 23 October 2009, identifying which schools within Highland should be considered for replacement within the first phase of the national School Building Programme for Primary Schools.
In response to questions, the Head of Support Services explained that the Scottish Government’s main objective in relation to the School Building Programme was to reduce the number of children in poor educational accommodation. One way to achieve that was to create new integrated schools, however, if the Council received an offer of funding, a detailed options appraisal would be carried out and it was emphasised that any proposal to amalgamate schools would be subject to a statutory consultation.
Members welcomed the opportunity to improve primary schools in Highland and emphasised the importance of exploring all options and of having up-to-date and accurate information on the condition of schools on which to base consultations and Committee decisions.
Thereafter, the Committee:-
i. APPROVED the provisional submission to the Scottish Government, which
included the following proposals:-
a) the replacement of five existing Condition C or D schools with two new
build primary schools as follows:-
• a new primary school in Fort William replacing the existing Fort William
Primary School and Upper Achintore Primary School
• a new primary school in Easter Ross replacing the existing Obsdale
Primary School, Ardross Primary School and Newmore Primary School;
b) that the new school in Fort William be higher priority on the basis that it
would result in a higher number of pupils being accommodated in
improved accommodation;
ii. NOTED that any proposal to amalgamate schools would require a statutory
consultation process to be carried out; and
iii. NOTED the importance of having accurate and detailed information on the
condition of schools on which to base consultations and Committee
decisions.
6. Quality Improvement Team Handbook
There had been circulated Report No ECS-50-09 dated 29 October 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which informed Members of the central work of the Quality Improvement Team in securing continuous improvement in the Education, Culture and Sport Service.
During discussion, and whilst welcoming the progress which had been made by the Quality Improvement Team, the need to continue to improve and drive forward change was emphasised.
Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the Quality Improvement Team Handbook appended to the report.
7. Review of Administrative and Clerical Support Staff
There had been circulated Report No ECS-51-09 dated 30 October 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided the initial recommendations arising from the review of the administrative and clerical function within the Education, Culture and Sport Service.
During discussion, Members welcomed the report and emphasised the importance, particularly in the current financial climate, of continuing to identify efficiency savings.
The Committee AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Resources Committee:-
i. the support staff organisational structure as outlined in Annex 2 to the
report;
ii. the deletion of 19.31 full-time equivalent (FTE) posts, saving £0.317m per
annum, from the Education, Culture and Sport budgeted establishment as
detailed in Annex 3 to the report;
iii. the transfer of 5.50 FTE posts and funding relating to School Transport
administration to Transport, Environmental and Community Services from
the Education, Culture and Sport establishment;
iv. the changes in line management for Service support staff as outlined in the
report;
v. the changes in support service delivery as outlined in the report; and
vi. the transition arrangements as outlined in the report.
8. Curriculum for Excellence - Assessment
There had been circulated Report No ECS-52-09 dated 28 October 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which summarised the Scottish Government’s Strategic Vision and Key Principles of Assessment for Curriculum for Excellence.
During discussion, the importance of ensuring equality of provision for all children was highlighted, particularly in relation to Looked After Children and extra-curricular activities. It was acknowledged that the Curriculum for Excellence was learner centred and it was important to look at the strengths of individual children, not just in the school environment but in the wider context. Where individuals had been disadvantaged in the past, it was a priority to ensure that this was addressed.
Thereafter, the Committee:-
i. NOTED the Strategic Vision and Key Principles of Assessment for
Curriculum for Excellence;
ii. AGREED that it represented a sound set of principles for work in Highland;
and
iii. AGREED that a further report on assessment and reporting to parents be
submitted to a future Education, Culture and Sport Committee meeting as
continuing progress was made on the implementation of Curriculum for
Excellence.
9. Cyberbullying Guidance
There had been circulated Report No ECS-53-09 dated 3 November 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which detailed the components of the proposed Cyberbullying Guidance, including the development of a mechanism to support professionals with the handling of specific incidents where children, young people or staff may have been targeted.
During discussion, Members welcomed the Guidance and suggested that consideration be given to distributing it throughout all Council Services.
Thereafter, the Committee:-
i. APPROVED the Cyberbullying Guidance for distribution to all Education,
Culture and Sport Service establishments; and
ii. NOTED the input from key agencies and individuals instrumental in
developing the Guidance.
10. Changes in Educational Provision – Consultative Procedures
There had been circulated Report No ECS-54-09 dated 30 October 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which sought approval to introduce revised school consultative procedures based on the provisions contained within the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Bill which was currently being enacted in the Scottish Parliament and due to become law in Spring 2010.
Having emphasised the importance of involving Local Members from the outset in any proposal to change educational provision, the Committee APPROVED the schools consultative process outlined in the report with effect from January 2010.
11. Statutory Consultation on the Proposal to Establish Gaelic
Medium Provision in Glenurquhart Primary School, Drumnadrochit
There had been circulated Report No ECS-55-09 dated 5 October 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out a draft Consultation Paper on the proposal to establish Gaelic Medium Education provision at Glenurquhart Primary School, Drumnadrochit.
Speaking to the report, the Head of Support Services explained that it might be necessary to extend the timescale for the consultation to March 2010. This would allow the proposed consultation on a new primary school for Milton of Leys to be carried out first which would also be undertaken by the Inverness Area Education Office and which was a priority given the future roll pressures.
During discussion, Members welcomed the consultation and, whilst recognising the pressures on the Area Education Office, requested that it be progressed as soon as possible and that Local Members be kept informed of the timescale.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. to the terms of the Consultation Paper and it being issued in accordance
with the Authority’s agreed procedure to meet the relevant statutory
requirements;
ii. that the outcome of the consultation be considered by the Education,
Culture and Sport Committee on 14 January or 11 March 2010; and
iii. that Local Members be kept informed of the proposed timescale for the
statutory consultation.
12. Statutory Consultation on a New Primary School for the Milton of
Leys Area of Inverness
There had been circulated Report No ECS-56-09 dated 5 October 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out a draft Consultation Paper on the proposal to provide a new primary school for the Milton of Leys area of Inverness.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. to the terms of the Consultation Paper and it being issued in accordance
with the Authority’s agreed procedure to meet the relevant statutory
requirements; and
ii. that the outcome of the consultation be considered at the meeting of the
Education, Culture and Sport Committee on 14 January 2010
13. Minutes of Meetings
The Committee dealt with the Minutes of Meetings, copies of which had been circulated, as follows:-
i. APPROVED the Minutes of the Annual General and Ordinary Meetings of
the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff held on 8 October
2009; and
ii. NOTED the Minutes of the Education Transport Appeals Committee held
on 15 September 2009.
The meeting concluded at 12.35 pm