Teachers in Catholic Schools

The first hour of today's Executive Committee was spent on only one topic. This was the subject of appointing teachers to denominational schools. The Council had been caught out at a recent Employment Tribunal & Appeal (the McNab case). So some way had to be found of trying to follow both the 2003 legislation on employment equality and the 1980 Education Act.

The Council's solution is to process appointments almost as if the Roman Catholic Church was not involved. Only after the interview and the Council has decided whom to appoint will the church get involved. This solution comes across as messy and far from ideal. It appears that the Council is trying to play safe and transfer most of the risk to the Church. The Council's solicitor, Ian Drummond, told the Committee that "this is the most defensible position we can get to".

Several councillors expressed concern that the Council might still lose further Employment Tribunal or Court cases. It was suggested that the Scottish Government needs to become involved in this.

The SNP's John Mason called for discussions with the Government to be held. However, he accepted that this might be the best solution the Council could achieve at this time. He said it appeared that the 1980 and 2003 legislation were in conflict with each other and it might well be beyond the Council's powers to try and reconcile them. He was concerned that the Council was minimising its risk while trying to hide behind the Catholic Church. 

Golfhill Primary School

£1.8 million The SNP's Councillor Alison Thewliss questioned why so much was being spent on temporary accommodation. Wouldn't it have been better to spend this money on permanent facilities? She was told that the temporary facilities would have to last until at least 2010.

Once again the Labour administration's failure to improve primary schools for many years has come home to roost.


Easterhouse Town Centre Action Plan

This item dealt with the poor state of the Shandwick shopping centre, sandwiched between the smart Fort complex and the Bridge's education & leisure facilities. Cllr John Mason welcomed moves to improve this area although he sought commitments that:

• Public transport would be improved, linking the Fort to Easterhouse itself and to the wider Baillieston area to the south;
  
• There would continue to be popular smaller shops for local folk. Not everyone wanted the Fort's type of shopping and there needed to be a Post Office, baker, butcher, etc at the heart of Easterhouse.

Staff Survey and People Strategy

The report on the staff survey made poor reading. Almost a third of staff said they had been subject to bullying in the past two years. This was especially the case for staff with disabilities and those of minority ethnic origin.

Cllr Allison Hunter challenged the Labour administration on these points and looked forward to seeing the action plan in November. She also ridiculed the glossy "People Strategy" which was full of "management speak" (and poor English). Labour seemed somewhat embarrassed by all this and later indicated that the glossy production was not to be distributed to staff at this stage.