Education Committee - 15/01/2001

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th January 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor George de Gernier, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th December 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 19TH DECEMBER 2000

The minute of the above meeting (Appendix I) was submitted for information.

II MINUTE OF MEETING OF TEACHERS' JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OF 13TH JUNE 2000

The Committee noted and so far as necessary approved the Minute of the Joint Consultative Committee (Appendix II).

III HM INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS - STANDARDS AND QUALITY INSPECTION OF BARNHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY CLASS

There was submitted and noted the Report of HM Inspectors of Schools with regard to the standards and quality inspection of Barnhill Primary School and Nursery Class.

IV EDUCATION CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2001/2002 - BALDRAGON CLADDING PHASE 2 - PARTNERING

There was submitted Report No 22-2001 by the Director of Education seeking authorisation for the City Council to enter into a partnering contract under the direction of the City Architectural Services Officer for phase 2 of the cladding replacement programme at Baldragon Academy.

The Committee agreed that the City Council enter into a partnering agreement under the direction of the City Architectural Services Officer with WH Brown Construction (Dundee) Limited together with their sub-contractor, Tayside Windows Limited, Forfar, for phase 2 of the replacement cladding programme at Baldragon Academy.

V REPORT ON PROGRESS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF DUNDEE'S EARLY YEARS AND CHILDCARE PLAN

There was submitted Report No 34-2001 by the Director of Education informing the Committee about the progress made in the implementation of Dundee's Early Years and Childcare Plan during the period April to November 2000.

The Committee agreed to note the progress towards meeting the targets outlined in Dundee's Early Years and Childcare Plan 2000 - 2003.

VI PRE-BUDGET STATEMENT - ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No. 45-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval of arrangements for allocating additional financial resources made available for schools following the Pre‑Budget statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in November 2000.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Ward, moved approval of recommendations of the report as undernoted:-

(i)approve the allocation of additional funding to schools on the same basis as the Scottish Executive determined allocations for individual Education Authorities i.e.

(ii)that in consultation with primary schools, 1,000 of the fixed allocation for primary schools should be utilised for the purchase of computer hardware and software designed to help schools monitor, track and improve pupil attainment.

(iii)note the requirement to publish locally information about what has been achieved through allocation of the additional resources and to report to the Scottish Executive Education Department details on how the grant has been spent.

(iv)instruct the Director of Education to advise schools of their allocations and on compliance with the conditions attached to the grant.

As an amendment, Mr Baillie seconded by Monsignor J Creegan, moved that recommendation 2.1 (ii) read:-

"agree that spending decisions be taken by Head Teachers following consultation with school staff and that in primary schools where repairs and maintenance priorities can be satisfied within this allocation agree that this may include consideration of the proposal that 1,000 of the fixed allocation should be utilised for the purchase of computer hardware and software designed to help schools monitor and track pupil achievement.

On a division there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Wright, Councillors Letford, Ward, Presswood, Regan, Farquhar, Luke, Sturrock, Glen, Grant, Rolfe, Mackie, Wallace and Scott (15); and for the amendment - Councillors Barrie, Richard Beattie, Sawers, Fitzpatrick, Petrie, Guild, Corrigan, Dave Beattie, Fordyce, Bowes, Borthwick, Monsignor Creegan and Mr E Baillie (13); - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

GEORGE DE GERNIER, Convener.