Education Committee - 19/01/2004

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th January, 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor MACPHERSON, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th December, 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 16TH DECEMBER, 2003

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

II HM INSPECTORATE OF EDUCATION - INSPECTION OF ST CLEMENT'S RC PRIMARY SCHOOL

There was submitted and noted the report by HM Inspectorate of Education on St Clement's RC Primary School.

III HM INSPECTORATE OF EDUCATION - INSPECTION OF POWRIE PRIMARY SCHOOL

There was submitted and noted the report by HM Inspectorate of Education on Powrie Primary School.

IV TENDERS RECEIVED

Councillor Scott declared a non-financial interest in respect of a property which will benefit from the erection of a new fence at Craigie High School.

There was submitted Report No 58-2004 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) HARRIS ACADEMY - RE-FLOORING OF GYMNASIUMS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer received from A McKay (Flooring) Glasgow for the re-flooring of gymnasiums at Harris Academy for 33,958.00, together with allowances of 5,093.00, giving a total of 39,051.00.

(ii) HARRIS ACADEMY SPORTS PAVILION - REPLACEMENT WINDOWS

The Committee agreed to accept the schedule of rates offer from Dundee Contract Services for replacement windows at Harris Academy Sports Pavilion for 12,096.49, together with allowances of 1,815.00, giving a total of 13,911.49.

(iii) LONGHAUGH PRIMARY SCHOOL - FENCING

In order to meet the timescale of having the above works completed by the end of the financial year, the Committee remitted to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) in conjunction with the Director of Education, to accept the tender recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer within the Budget Allowance of 15,000.

(iv) CRAIGIE HIGH SCHOOL - FENCING

In order to meet the timescale of having the above works completed by the end of the financial year, the Committee remitted to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) in conjunction with the Director of Education, to accept the tender recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer within the budget allowance of 37,000.

(v) CRAIGIEBARNS PRIMARY SCHOOL - TOILET REFURBISHMENT

The Committee agreed to accept the schedule of rates offer from Dundee Contract Services for toilet refurbishment at Craigiebarns Primary School for 17,390.00, together with allowances of 2,600.00, giving a total of 19,990.00.

(vi) VARIOUS SECONDARY SCHOOLS - TOILET IMPROVEMENTS

In order to meet the timescale of having the above works completed by the end of the financial year, the Committee remitted to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) in conjunction with the Director of Education, to accept the partnering offer with Torith Ltd negotiated by the City Architectural Services Officer within the overall budget allowance of 60,000.

V EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN

There was submitted Report No 71-2004 by the Director of Education, bringing to the attention of the Committee, the Education Department Development Plan for the period 2002-2005 which had been reviewed to take account of key objectives set out for the Education Department in the Dundee City Council Plan published in October, 2003.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i)note the review of the Education Department Development Plan to ensure linkage with the Council Plan; and

(ii)adopt the Plan as the Department's Service Plan subject to ongoing review and update.

The Committee further agreed that the Director of Education bring forward a report on the recent evaluation of the Department's policy on pupils with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties.

VI SUPPLY OF JOTTERS, PADS, SPECIALIST BOARDS AND PAPER

There was submitted Report No 68-2004 by the Director of Education seeking approval to accept tenders for the supply of jotters, pads, specialist boards and paper for schools in Dundee City Council, Angus Council and Perth and Kinross Council.

The Committee agreed to award the contract for the supply of jotters, pads, specialist boards and paper for the period 1st February, 2004 - 31st January, 2006 to the following firms:-

VII CONSULTATION ON ENSURING IMPROVEMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS - DRAFT BILL

There was submitted Report No 72-2004 by the Director of Education informing the Committee that the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000 introduced a ministerial duty to secure improvement in school education and placed similar responsibilities on education authorities.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i)approve the response to the draft Bill set out in Appendix I of the report; and

(ii)instruct the Director of Education to submit the response on behalf of Dundee City Council.

FRASER MACPHERSON, Convener.