Councillor Henry; G McKinlay, Head of Service, M Dewar, Acting Head of Service, M Convery, Head Teacher, St James Primary School and L McAllister, Education Manager (Curriculum & Early Years) (all Children’s Services); and D Marshall, Head of HR & Organisational Development and D McCann, Principal HR Adviser (both Finance & Resources).

M Russell, J Welsh, H Whittle, K Fella and A Howie (all EIS).

In accordance with the terms of the local recognition and procedure agreement, which stated that the Chair of the Committee should alternate between the two sides comprising the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff, it was agreed that Councillor Henry chair this meeting of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff.

DECIDED: That Councillor Henry chair this meeting of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff.

Councillor Clark; M Macdonald, Head Teacher, Castlehead High School (Children’s Services); R Hannah and J McCusker (both EIS); M Greenlees (SSTA); and Stephen McCrossan (Adviser to the Teachers’ side).

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting held on 21st January, 2015.

The Head of Service advised that Peter Macleod, Director of Children’s Services, would replace Robert Naylor on the Management Side of the Committee.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Minute be approved; and

(b) That it be noted that the Director of Children’s Services would replace the Director of Education & Leisure on the Management Side of the Committee.

There was submitted the action note for the meeting held on 21st January, 2015.

It was noted that Committee Services were now operating a new committee management system which would no longer produce action notes in the format submitted to the Committee. Minutes of meetings contained the same information as the action note and if any matters required to be raised this could be done during consideration of the previous Minute.

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress on the items be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that Committee Services were now operating a new committee management system which would no longer produce action notes in the format submitted to the Committee. Minutes of meetings contained the same information as the action note and if any matters required to be raised this could be done during consideration of the previous Minute.


Sederunt

M Convery entered the meeting during consideration of the following item of business.

There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to Renfrewshire Council’s withdrawal from CoSLA.

It was noted that the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) and the Acting Head of Service had arranged a meeting to discuss this matter.

Councillor Henry intimated that both she and the Leader of the Council would meet with the Teachers’ Side to discuss this matter.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be noted that the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) and the Acting Head of Service had arranged a meeting to discuss this matter; and

(b) That it be noted that Councillor Henry and the Leader of the Council would meet with the Teachers’ Side to discuss this matter.

There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to the report issued by the Supply Teacher Review Group (JS/15/52). The report intimated that the Joint Secretaries of the SNCT were required to report back on the recommendations within the report and they would be contacting each Council seeking assurance that the recommendations had been considered and information on any actions taken.

DECIDED: That the Acting Head of Service meet with the Joint Secretaries of this Committee to discuss this matter.

There was submitted a report by the Acting Head of Service relative to the pattern of school holiday arrangements for school session 2016/17. The report intimated that each year the Education Policy Board determined a framework for school holiday arrangements for the following session. Following consultation with all interested parties the Education Policy Board at its meeting held on 5th March, 2015 agreed the proposed holiday dates for session 2016/2017 and a copy of the report considered by the Education Policy Board was attached as an Appendix.

The report intimated that, in line with consultation arrangements, four possible proposals had been circulated to staff, parent councils, pupil councils, teaching and other trade unions for consideration. The school holiday proposal preferred by the majority of those consulted was detailed in appendix 1 to the report, with appendices 2, 3 and 4 showing the holiday patterns less favoured. The outcome of the consultation was detailed in appendix 5 to the report.

A discussion took place relative to the one establishment one vote methodology used as part of the consultation exercise and it was agreed that the Acting Head of Service investigate other options and meet with the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) to discuss this matter.

DECIDED:

(a) That the school holiday arrangements for the academic year 2016/17, as detailed in appendix 1 to the report, be noted; and

(b) That the Acting Head of Service look at other options available for use during the consultation exercise and meet with the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) to discuss this matter.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff would be held on 19th May, 2015 at 2.00 p.m.