Education Committee - 20/01/2003

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th January 2003.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor SHIMI, Depute Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th December 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 17TH DECEMBER 2002

The minute of the above meeting (Appendix 1) was submitted for information.

II UPGRADING SCIENCE AND HOME ECONOMICS CLASSROOMS IN SCHOOLS

There was submitted for information Report No. 905-2002 that had been approved by the Director of Education as a matter or urgency in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation. The recommendations in the report were to:-

(i) approve the upgrading of two schools science classrooms in Baldragon Academy and one science classroom in Craigie High School and Menzieshill High School in the estimated amount of 160,000 and the upgrading of one home economics classroom at Menzieshill High School in the amount of 45,000; and

(ii) authorise the City Architectural Services Officer to negotiate contracts under partnering agreements with appropriate contractors and for the Director of Support Services in conjunction with the Director of Education to accept the offers recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer.

III TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No. 37-2003 by the City Architectural Services Officer requesting a decision thereon.

(i) VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROPERTIES - PLASTERWORK REPAIRS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer which had been received from W H Brown Construction Limited, Dundee for plasterwork repairs to various educational properties for 7,849.19, together with allowances of 4,627.00, giving a total of 12,476.19.

The Committee noted that W H Brown Construction Limited had listed the undernoted sub-contractor:-

Angus Decorating Co Limited, Arbroath - Painterwork.

(ii) BALDRAGON ACADEMY - CCTV AND SECURITY LIGHTING

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer which was received from Video Watchman Systems Limited, Coatbridge for CCTV and security lighting at Baldragon Academy for 36,583.77, together with allowances of 2,974.00, giving a total of 39,557.77.

The Committee noted that Video Watchman Systems Limited had listed the undernoted sub-contractor:-

XM Services Limited, Dundee - Excavation and Electrical.

IV APPOINTMENT OF CONTRACTORS

Reference was made to Article V of the meeting of this Committee of 18th November 2002 where approval was given to negotiate contracts and enter into formal partnering agreements for toilet upgrading and classroom alterations at various schools.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN32-2003 asking the Committee to note that Forman Construction Limited and Torith Limited had now been appointed as the partnering contractors for these works.

The Committee noted accordingly.

V DUNDEE SCHOOLS PPP PROJECT - STATUTORY CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE OF DENOMINATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS INDUNDEE

Councillor Petrie declared an interest.

There was submitted Report No. 68-2003 by the Director of Education seeking approval to proceed to formally publish and consult on the proposal that Lawside RC Academy and St Saviour's High School should be merged and relocated in a new school on a site at Kirkton Park and that St John's High School be extended and refurbished.

The Committee remitted the Director of Education to carry out statutory consultation procedures in terms of the Education (Publication and Consultation etc) (Scotland) Regulations 1981 in respect of the proposal that Lawside RC Academy and St Saviour's RC High School be merged and relocated in a new school on a site at Kirkton Park and, in addition, to carry out consultation on the proposal that St John's RC High School be extended and refurbished and to report back to a future meeting of the Committee.

VI DUNDEE SCHOOLS PPP PROJECT - STATUTORY CONSULTATION ON A REVISED PROJECT PROPOSAL WITH ASSOCIATEDCATCHMENT AREA CHANGES RELATING TO DOWNFIELD, MACALPINE AND BRACKENS PRIMARY

There was submitted Report No. 69-2003 by the Director of Education seeking approval to proceed to formally publish and consult on the proposal to change the catchment area for Downfield Primary School to include part of the Macalpine Primary School catchment and for the remainder of the Macalpine catchment to be added to that for Brackens and to build a new school to replace Macalpine Primary School and Brackens Primary School on either the Macalpine Primary School or Brackens Primary School site.

The Committee remitted the Director of Education to carry out statutory consultation procedures in terms of the Education (Publication and Consultation etc) (Scotland) Regulations 1981 in respect of the proposal to change the catchment area for Downfield Primary School to include part of the Macalpine Primary School catchment and for the remainder of the Macalpine catchment to be added to that for Brackens and to build a new school to replace Macalpine Primary School and Brackens Primary School on either the Macalpine Primary School or Brackens Primary School site.

VII THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTRE BASED WITHIN DUNDEE FOOTBALL CLUB

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Committee of 13 January 2003. There was submitted Report No 59-2003 by the Director of Education and Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development informing the Committee about the development of a Community Learning Centre through a partnership involving Dundee Football Club and Dundee City Council Education and Neighbourhood Resources and Development Departments.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the involvement of Council staff in the development of the initiative in line with details provided in the report; and

(ii) instruct the Directors of Neighbourhood Resources and Development and Education to monitor progress of the development and operation of the Community Learning Centre.

VIII GRANT AID TO PARENT AND TODDLER GROUPS

There was submitted Report. No 63-2003 by the Director of Education seeking approval to award grants to local parent and toddler groups.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report and approved the award of grants to parent and toddler groups as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report.

IX EARLY YEARS AND CHILDCARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

There was submitted Report No. 64-2003 by the Director of Education seeking approval for payment of fees to training bodies who are providing training and support to those working in childcare services.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report and approved the payment of fees to training bodies as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report.

X EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2002/2005

Councillors Rolfe, Glen and Sturrock declared an interest.

There was submitted Report No. 72-2003 by the Director of Education bringing to the attention of the Committee the Education Department Development Plan for 2002/2005.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the contents of the Education Department Development Plan;

(ii) agree the implementation of the Plan subject to ongoing review and update;

(iii) instruct the Director of Education to provide an Annual Statement of Improvement Objectives based on the Development Plan; and

(iv) instruct the Director of Education to provide an annual update on progress in implementing the Plan and meeting the Education Department's Improvement objectives.

JILL SHIMI, Depute Convener.

APPENDIX I