COUNCIL AGREES DATES FOR EDUCATION BUDGET CONSULTATION

Argyll and Bute Council has agreed the details of its informal consultation exercise regarding the education budget.

As agreed at the Executive meeting on May 17, four events have now been organised at which key stakeholders will be invited to discuss how the council spends its education budget.

The sessions will be in Lochgilphead on June 8, Helensburgh on June 10, Oban on June 16 and Dunoon on June 17.

Councillor Isobel Strong, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “The purpose of the sessions is to consult with key interest groups on the provision of education, make them aware of the Council’s current budget position and get their views on how the authority should prioritise areas of spend within education.

“This will not be a discussion on individual schools. What we are seeking people’s views on is education as a whole, and how Argyll and Bute can best meet future challenges whilst still maintaining our commitment to providing high quality education to the children and young people in our area.”

The meetings will be opened by Councillor Strong and moderated by Keir Bloomer, formerly vice-chair of Learning and Teaching Scotland and a member of the group which wrote ‘A Curriculum for Excellence’.

During each event there will be smaller breakout discussion sessions. Mr Bloomer will then head a session to summarise the views which were raised in the smaller groups.

The list of those invited is:


Head teachers and senior school management
Parent Council representatives
Union representatives
Local members
Local media
HMIE area representatives
Two senior pupils nominated from each secondary school