Petitions

The fourth item on the agenda is consideration of public petitions. The first petition is PE114 from Mrs Julia Clarke, on after-school care clubs. The committee will remember that we have already considered that petition and sent it to the Executive for a response, which we have now received.I suggest that the committee ask the Executive to reinforce the message to local authorities that they should encourage school boards to make use of school premises and to make them available to the local community during non-school hours. We should also recognise the use of local child care partnerships to consider a variety of ways to provide child care for ages 0 to14.

I appreciate the fact that I was not present at the earlier discussion on the petition. However, I am interested to know whether the blocking of the use of school premises has been monitored. Obviously, that is a matter for local authorities and voluntary organisations; however, the committee should be concerned if people are actively discouraging such use for this or any other purpose.Another broader issue that I have picked up anecdotally is that although there is a commitment to providing after-school clubs and child care, demand is not always matched by provision. Because that commitment is so important, we should encourage the Executive to keep a close eye on the situation.

How do you suggest that we proceed with that issue?

That is an option.

As this is a local authority matter, I am reluctant for the committee to take on powers that rightly lie with the local authority. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that there are lines of communication with local authorities, so that we alert them to people's concerns and to the fact that at least one local authority has ensured after-hours access to schools. Local authorities should be considering how they deal with local concerns on the matter.

Our information does not make it clear whether there was a definite suggestion that people were being blocked from using schools or whether there was simply a lack of co-operation when schools were approached. Furthermore, we are not clear whether there were specific reasons for such a lack of co-operation or whether people were just reluctant to do it.

The committee does not necessarily need to undertake a huge inquiry on the issue. However, we could find out which local authorities are using school premises for after-school clubs and whether there are problems in particular areas. I am reluctant to take on a lot of work that might be unnecessary.

Instead of taking the big step of appointing a reporter, why do we not write to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and ask it to tell us which local authorities are running after-school clubs? I would be very surprised if some local authorities did not have such clubs.

That is a good suggestion. We will contact COSLA and ask for the information that it has from the local authorities. If that information is not sufficient to answer our concerns, we will decide whether to take the matter further, but the initial approach might provide us with the information that we want. Is everyone agreed?Members indicated agreement.

The second petition, PE224, is from Mr George Reid, on the exact colour and proportions of the Saltire flag. Are there any questions?

I suggest that, as stated in the accompanying notes, the matter is not within the remit of the committee and that we should therefore take no action.

No.

So, we are agreed that we will take no action.Members indicated agreement.