Councillor Henry; P Macleod, Director of Children’s Services, M Dewar, Acting Head of Service, G McKinlay, Head of Schools, J Trainer, Acting Head of Early Years and Inclusion and M Convery, Head Teacher (St James Primary School) (all Children’s Services); and L Mullin, Principal HR & OD Advisor (Finance & Resources).

K Fella, R Hannah, A Howie, J McCusker, M Russell, JP Tonner, J Welsh and H Whittle (all EIS); M Greenlees (SSTA) and S McCrossan (Adviser to the Teachers Side).

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.

There was submitted the Minute of meeting held on 24 May 2016.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There was submitted a report by Joint Secretaries relative to membership of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff for 2016/17. It was noted that the membership of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff would be:-

Management side

Councillor J Henry
Councillor S Clark
P Macleod, Director of Children’s Services
G McKinlay, Head of Schools
J Trainer, Acting Head of Early Years and Inclusion
L McAllister, Education Manager
M Convery, Head Teacher, St James’ Primary School
M Dewar, Head Teacher, Parkmains High School
L Mullin, Principal HR and OD Adviser
T McEwan, Education Manager

It was noted that M McDonald, Head Teacher, Castlehead High School was retiring from his role as a management representative on the JNC for Teaching Staff. Both the Management and Teacher’s side expressed their thanks to Mr McDonald for his work on the Committee.

It was also noted that M Dewar who had been Acting Head of Service was returning to his role as Head Teacher at Park Mains High School and would replace M McDonald.

Teacher’s side

K Fella (EIS)
M Russell (EIS)
R Hannah (EIS)
J Welsh (EIS)
J McCusker (EIS)
A Howie (EIS)
H Whittle (EIS)
JP Tonner (EIS)
M Greenlees (SSTA)

It was noted that S McCrossan had been nominated as the Adviser to the teachers’ side.

Councillor Henry was nominated as Chair of the management side and John Welsh was nominated as Chair of the teachers’ side. There being no other nominations, Councillor Henry and John Welsh were appointed as Joint Chairs of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff.

K Fella was nominated as Joint Secretary for the teachers’ side and G McKinlay was nominated as Joint Secretary for the management side. There being no other nominations, K Fella and G McKinlay were appointed as Joint Secretaries of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff.

DECIDED:

(a) That the membership of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff be noted; and

(b) That the appointments of Councillor Henry and John Welsh as Joint Chairs and K Fella and G McKinlay as Joint Secretaries of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff be noted.

There was submitted a report by Joint Secretaries relative to the annual report 2015/16. The report intimated that in the period covered by the annual report, six meetings of the Committee had taken place. The appendix to the report detailed the membership, the reports agreed by the Committee and discussions held across the year on key matters including provision of supply (including consideration of the SNCT report JS/15/53), PRD and Professional Update, Early Years, Teacher Workload, Renfrewshire Council’s withdrawal from COSLA and the establishment of the SLGP.

The report intimated that the JNC/JNC sub groups would continue to take forward issues which were included in the items of ongoing work including teacher workload, supporting attendance, discipline and grievance, voluntary/exceptional transfer of teachers, risk assessment/health and safety, specific duties and job remits, consultation on school holiday pattern and equalities issues.

The Joint Secretary (Management Side) wished to thank the teachers for their contribution, openness and willingness to discuss challenging issues. Councillor Henry also voiced her thanks to everyone on the Committee.

The Joint Secretary (Teacher’s Side) highlighted that the lack of supply teachers continued to be an issues and it was imperative to resolve this issue in order to reduce workload. There was also an issue regarding discipline and whilst this affected a minority of pupils this had a great impact on teachers and schools. It was suggested that there be discussions with teachers regarding the use of ring fenced money for the Scottish Attainment Challenge. It was agreed that an action plan should be developed and that the unions would be consulted on the action plan.

DECIDED:

(a) That the content of the report and appendix be noted;

(b) That it be agreed that the annual report be circulated to all education establishments; and

(c) That it be agreed that an action plan be developed and that the Unions be consulted on the action plan.

There was submitted a report by Joint Secretaries relative to dates of agreed future meetings of this Committee from September 2016 to April 2017. It was noted that a proposed date had been included in relation to the AGM in June 2017, however, this would be subject to approval by the Council at the statutory meeting in May 2017.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be noted that meetings of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff would be held at 2.00 pm on 6 September 2016, 15 November 2016, 7 February 2017, 21 March 2017 and 25 April 2017; and

(b) That it be noted that the proposed date for the AGM was 13 June 2017 subject to approval by the Council at the statutory meeting in May 2017.

A McNaughton, Senior Committee Services Officer (Finance & Resources).

L McAllister, Education Manager (Children's Services).