Education Committee - 20/11/2006

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th November, 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 23rd October, 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I H M INSPECTORATE OF EDUCATION - FORTHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL INSPECTION

There was submitted and noted report relative to the above.

II H M INSPECTORATE OF EDUCATION - ROSEBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL INTERIM FOLLOW-THROUGHINSPECTION

There was submitted and noted report relative to the above.

III H M INSPECTORATE OF EDUCATION - ARDLER PRIMARY SCHOOL FOLLOW-THROUGH INSPECTION

There was submitted and noted report relative to the above.

IV H M INSPECTORATE OF EDUCATION - CHARLESTON PRIMARY SCHOOL INSPECTION

There was submitted and noted report relative to the above.

V INSPECTION OF THE EDUCATION FUNCTIONS OF DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

There was submitted Report No 666-2006 by the Director of Education presenting the findings of H M Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) on the inspection of the Council's education functions.

The Committee noted:-

(i) Dundee City Council had been the first local authority to undergo a full inspection of its Education functions, with a revised and developing process;

(ii) the many examples of strength and good practice outlined by HMIE;

(iii) that HMIE had recognised the determination of elected members and officers to raise attainment;

(iv) the Action Plan established to address the four main points for action in the report;

(v) the steps that the Directors of Education and Leisure & Communities would continue to take to achieve improvement in all areas of the education service; and

(vi) that the Director of Education would continue to address each objective of the Action Plan to raise attainment, as agreed by the Best Value Review group.

VI DUNDEE SCHOOLS PPP PROJECT - PROGRESS ON CONCLUDING CONTRACT WITH DISCOVERY EDUCATION

There was submitted Report 678-2006 by the Chief Executive and Director of Education advising the Committee on progress in contract negotiations with Discovery Education.

The Committee noted that the Project was proceeding towards financial close.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 677-2006 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) BRAEVIEW ACADEMY - SUPPLY OF STAGING AND SEATING

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Audience Systems Limited, Wiltshire for 43,679.00 together with an allowance of 750.00 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 44,429.00.

VIII DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME

There was submitted Report No 662-2006 by the Director of Education detailing the Education Department's Disability Equality Scheme.

The Committee approved the above.

IX ACCESSIBILITY STRATEGY 2006-2009

There was submitted Report No 663-2006 by the Director of Education seeking approval for the Education Department's Accessibility Strategy, covering the period 2006-2009.

The Committee agreed to:

(i) approve the Accessibility Strategy for implementation in all Dundee schools; and

(ii) instructed the Director of Education to monitor the implementation of the strategy.

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.