The Inverclyde Council

Friday 15 December 2006 at 3 pm

The meeting was convened and adjourned to allow the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee to be concluded and was reconvened at 3.55 pm.

Present:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Fyfe, Gallacher, Hill, Hunter, McCabe, McCormick (M), McCormick (P), McKenzie, Mitchell, Moran, Nimmo, Roach, Robertson, Snoddy, Stewart, Tucker and White.

Chair:  Provost Rebecchi presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Corporate Director Education & Social Care, Corporate Director Regeneration & Resources, Head of Planning & Resources, Head of Support & Development, Head of Community Care & Strategy, School Estate Manager and Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice).

Apologies:  Councillor Forbes.

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Minute of Education & Lifelong Learning Committee (Special) – 15 December 2006

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Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Mitchell seconded by Councillor Tucker.  Councillor Mitchell seconded by Councillor Tucker moved with reference to the paragraph entitled “Schools PPP – Approval of Issue of Invitation to Participate in Dialogue”, that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment, Councillor Robertson seconded by Councillor McKenzie moved that the principle of entering into a Schools Public Private Partnership be endorsed but that the issue of the Invitation to Participate in Dialogue be deferred until after the local government elections in May 2007 in order to allow the new Administration the opportunity to reconsider the specific proposals and take a decision at that time as to whether they should proceed as currently proposed or whether revisions should be made.  On a vote, 7 Members voted for the amendment and 11 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

The Provost being of the opinion that the report on the Disability Equality Scheme was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Council to determine at the earliest opportunity whether the Scheme should be approved.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

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Disability Equality Scheme

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There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care advising the Council of progress made in the development and implementation of the Disability Equality Scheme for Inverclyde Council, for the period 2006 – 2009.

Decided:  on the motion of Councillor Nimmo seconded by Councillor Snoddy:

(1) that the Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan be approved;

(2) that the approach adopted to involve disabled people in the implementation and review of the scheme be endorsed;

(3) that the first annual report on progress of the scheme be considered by the Council in December 2007;

(4) that it be noted that the Corporate Management Team will have overall responsibility for addressing the aims and objectives outlined in the Action Plan and that the principal lead will lie with the Corporate Director Education & Social Care;  and

(5) that in terms of its lead role in Community Planning, the Council maximise the opportunity to promote disability equality through this interface with other key public bodies which also have duties under the Act.