Education Committee - 11/06/2007

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 11th June, 2007.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

 

 

 

BAILIES

 

George REGAN

Roderick A J WALLACE

Derek J SCOTT

Helen WRIGHT

 

Ian BORTHWICK

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Kevin KEENAN

Ken GUILD

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Mohammed ASIF

Jim BARRIE

Stewart HUNTER

Laurie BIDWELL

Jimmy BLACK

Ken LYNN

Tom FERGUSON

David BOWES

Christina ROBERTS

Brian GORDON

Andrew DAWSON

Donald HAY

Richard McCREADY

Will DAWSON

Monsignor J CREEGAN

Joe MORROW

Nigel DON

Mr E BAILLIE

Fraser MACPHERSON

Bob DUNCAN

Mrs H MILLAR

 

Councillor Laurie BIDWELL, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th April, 2007 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I MERGER OF BELLFIELD NURSERY SCHOOL AND PARK PLACE NURSERY SCHOOL

 

The Committee acceded to a request which had been received for a deputation to address the Committee in respect of the proposed merger of Bellfield Nursery School and Park Place Nursery School. After the deputation had stated its case and answered questions from members of the Committee, it was thanked for its attendance and withdrew.

 

There was submitted Report No 283-2007 by the Director of Education, seeking approval to consult all stakeholders regarding a proposal to establish nursery provision for the West End of the city at Park Place Nursery by merging the existing Bellfield Nursery with Park Place Nursery School.

 

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Keenan, moved to formally publish and consult on the Director of Education's proposals and to report the outcome of the consultation to the Education Committee on 13th August, 2007.

 

As an amendment, Councillor Fordyce, seconded by Councillor Bowes, moved that the Director of Education consults fully with parents and staff at Bellfield Nursery and Park Place Nursery on the proposed merger of the two nursery schools with effect from August 2008 and that a report also be brought back by the Director of Planning and Transportation (in consultation with Tayside Police) on the subject of road safety on the approaches to Park Place Nursery all to the first full Education Committee after Recess, on 13th August, 2007.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailies Regan, Wright, Wallace and Scott, Councillors Keenan, Asif, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Morrow, Macpherson and Hay and Monsignor Creegan (15); and for the amendment - Bailie Borthwick, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andrew Dawson, Will Dawson, Don, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn and Roberts and Mrs Millar (14) - Mr Baillie declining to vote - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

II REPLACEMENT OF KINGSPARK SPECIAL SCHOOL - PROJECT BOARD

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN172-2007 relative to the above. Reference was made to Article II of the meeting of this Committee of 19th March, 2007, where it was agreed to build a replacement school for Kingspark Special School and establish a Project Board to manage the project and report, as appropriate, to the Education Committee. Approval was sought to form a Project Board with the following terms of reference.

 

1 PURPOSE OF BOARD

 

To manage the project to build a replacement for Kingspark Special School and report to the Education Committee as appropriate.

 

2 BOARD MEMBERSHIP

 

Alex Stephen - Chief Executive (Chair)

Elected member - Administration

Elected member - SNP Group

Elected member - Conservative Group

Kingspark School parent/carer representatives (2)

Trade unions representatives (2 - teaching and support staff)

School staff representative

Representative of NHS Tayside

Representative of Angus Council

Depute Chief Executive (Finance)

Director of Education

Head of Support for Learning, Education Department, DCC

City Architectural Services Officer

 

3 REMIT FOR BOARD

 

To manage all aspects of the new build project including:-

 

7                      production of a detailed specification

7                      consideration of the financial implications

7                      planning of the project

 

4 FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS

 

Meetings to be held on a quarterly basis.

 

5 KEY MILESTONES

 

Detailed plan to be developed.

 

Project due for completion 2009/2010.

 

The Committee agreed to the above.

 

III TENDERS RECEIVED

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN171-2007 relative to the above. The Committee were asked to note for information, that the following tenders were approved by the Chief Executive due to the timescales involved.

 

(i) ST LUKE'S AND ST MATTHEW'S PRIMARY SCHOOL - SECONDARY COLUMN REPAIR WORKS

 

The Contract, as recommended by the Chief Architectural Services Officer was awarded to Torith Limited, Drumoig, under a partnering agreement for 19,000, together with an allowance of 4,322 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 23,322.

(ii) GROVE ACADEMY GYM HALL ROOF INSPECTION AND REPAIR WORKS

 

Inspection and maintenance of elements of the roof structure of Grove Academy hall required to be undertaken.

 

The works had to be carried out whilst the school was unoccupied during the summer holiday period and there was insufficient time between the June Education Committee and the school summer holidays to allow the contractor to order materials and sufficiently plan the works.

 

Valid tenders were returned by three contractors ranging from 7,380 to 18,545. The lowest tender from Pendrich Height Services Limited of 7,380 was accepted as recommended by the City Engineer. Allowances of 3,000 for professional fees and contingencies were added, giving a total expenditure of 10,380.

 

(iii) BALDRAGON ACADEMY - RECLADDING PHASE 5

 

The Convener declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his partner being a member of staff at Baldragon Academy.

 

The Contract, as recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer was awarded to Hall and Tawse Ltd, t/a Mansell, Dundee who submitted the lowest tender for 264,891.69, together with allowance of 1,330 for Building Warrant, 1,470 for Planning Supervisor and 31,251 for Professional Services, making a total expenditure of 298,942.69.

 

The Committee noted the above.

 

IV CHURCH OF SCOTLAND COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - RESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE 2007

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN170-2007 informing the Committee that the above Conference organised by The Church of Scotland and The Scottish Catholic Education Service for all Church/Religious Representatives on the Education Committee would take place in Glasgow on 10th/11th September, 2007 at a cost of 200 per delegate, excluding travel and subsistence.

 

The Committee agreed to the attendance of all Church/Religious Representatives at the Conference at a cost of 200 per delegate, excluding travel and subsistence.

 

V DUNDEE SCHOOLS PPP PROJECT - CATCHMENT AREAS FOR PPP SCHOOLS

 

Councillor McCready declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his wife being a member of staff at St Saviour's RC High School.

 

There was submitted Report No 284-2007 by the Director of Education relative to the above.

 

The Committee noted the confirmed catchment areas for Claypotts Castle, Fintry, Rowantree and St Andrew's RC Primary Schools and for Grove Academy and St Paul's RC Academy and 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 proposals contained in paragraph 8.0 of the report at the start of session 2007/08 and to report back to Committee on the outcome of the consultation.

 

VI PROVISION OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO NEW REGISTERED CHILDMINDERS IN DUNDEE

 

There was submitted Report No 321-2007 by the Director of Education relative to the above.

The Committee noted and approved the report and the award of 200 funding to each of the new childminders in Dundee as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report, noted below:-

 

Childminder

Details of Application

 

Amount

1

Car seat, stair gates x 2, craft materials, outside sit on toys x 2, printed handbooks (ink and paper), music time toys, sun safety screens, healthy eating books, multi-cultural toys.

 

200

2

First Aid training 3 Year Cert, safety gate plus extensions, Play table and 2 chairs, Fire Blanket, Smoke Alarm and fitting, First Aid kit.

 

200

3

Soft play mats, paint and built in storage shelving for playroom.

 

200

4

Stair gates, fire blanket and extinguisher, toys, games, play equipment, books, welcome pack.

 

200

5

Double buggy, garden gate, car seats/booster, toys.

 

200

6

First Aid kit, receipt book, business card and paper, safety glass, art materials, safety reins, contracts, car seats, double pram, printing.

 

200

7

Buggy, car seat.

 

200

8

Double pushchair, laugh and learn baby grand piano, V Tech Discovery Tree, Learn Around Playground Leaf Frog, Noah's Ark.

 

200

9

Cot, 3 wheeler pram.

 

200

10

Double push chair, storage unit, high chair x 2, smoke alarm, mega motors.

 

200

11

Car seat 9 months to 4 years, 2 x booster seats 3-12 years.

 

200

12

Twin pushchair, starfish sandpit, Smoby slide, safari ride on, garden ride on and trailer.

 

200

13

Booster seats x 3, bark for garden, flipout kids beds sofas, drawing paper.

 

200

14

Outdoor play equipment, high chair, travel cot, changing mat.

 

200

 

TOTAL

 

 

2,800

 

VII GRANT AID TO PLAYGROUPS AND PARENT AND TODDLER GROUPS

 

There was submitted Report No 322-2007 by the Director of Education relative to the above.

The Committee approved the report and the award of grants to Parent and Toddler Groups as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report noted below:-

 

Group

 

Details of Application

Amount

Barnhill/St Margaret's

(Playgroup)

Art materials. A selection of books and tapes to develop literacy following CC inspection report.

 

100.00

Boomerang

(Toddler Group)

 

Resources to improve the new outdoor area.

 

100.00

Chalmers/Ardler

(Toddler Group)

 

Craft/art materials.

 

100.00

Craigiebank

(Toddler Group)

Art/craft items, puzzles and games.

 

 

100.00

Douglas Church

(Toddler Group)

Musical instruments, role play equipment, safety equipment (radiator covers).

 

 

100.00

East Church

(Toddler Group)

A variety of 0-3's equipment to build on experiences in this area. Some outdoor equipment to improve this area also.

 

100.00

Fintry

(Playgroup)

 

Replacement musical instruments.

 

100.00

Fintry Leaping Frogs

(Toddler Group)

 

Improvement of under 3's area within group.

 

100.00

Hilltown

(Toddler Group)

Baby equipment (highchairs etc) arts and craft materials.

 

100.00

Little Lodgers

(Playgroup)

 

Physical equipment (2 scooters).

100.00

Mill O'Mains

(Toddler Group)

 

New group. 2 x High chairs and Baby mats.

 

100.00

Playtime

(Toddler Group)

 

Improvement to outdoor area playhouse and picnic table.

100.00

St Aidans

(Toddler Group)

 

Art and craft materials, cars.

 

100.00

St James

(Toddler Group)

 

Role play equipment/activity toys.

 

100.00

St Mary's Lambs

(Playgroup)

 

Play mats, art and craft materials.

100.00

Stobswell

(Toddler Group)

 

Role play equipment, craft materials.

 

100.00

Toddle Tots

(Toddler Group)

 

Playmats, role play equipment

 

100.00

Trinity Toddlers

(Toddler Group)

Construction equipment, books, role play equipment, puzzles and games, art equipment.

 

100.00

 

Under 12's

(Toddler Group)

 

Play table, trampoline, play mat.

 

100.00

West End

(Toddler Group)

 

Art and craft materials, play table.

 

100.00

 

TOTAL

 

 

2,000.00

 

VIII BUSINESS MANAGER POSTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

 

There was submitted Report No 325-2007 by the Director of Education and Assistant Chief Executive (Management), seeking approval to establish a Business Manager post at Craigie High School as a first step towards establishing such posts in all secondary schools.

 

The Committee agreed that:-

 

(i) a post of Business Manager be established at Craigie High School;

 

(ii) the post be graded at PO1-4 (spinal points 35 to 38) currently 27,714 to 30,084;

 

(iii) the current vacant Depute Head Teacher post at Craigie High School remain vacant and that the management time available to the remaining posts be increased and be kept under review by the Director of Education who may reinstate the post if necessary; and

 

(iv) the Director of Education be authorised to appoint additional Business Managers in other secondary schools if financial savings can be identified by the Director of Education and Head of Finance.

 

IX EARLY MERGER OF MID CRAIGIE PRIMARY SCHOOL AND MOSSGIEL PRIMARY SCHOOL

 

There was submitted Report No 326-2007 by the Director of Education advising the Committee on the results of an informal consultation exercise carried out on the proposal to merge Mid Craigie Primary School and Mossgiel Primary School within the Mid Craigie accommodation from the start of session 2007-2008, and to rename the school Rowantree Primary School.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the representations made during the informal consultation exercise on the proposal; and

 

(ii) remitted the Director of Education to carry out the statutory publication and consultation procedure on the proposal for the early merger of Mid Craigie Primary School and Mossgiel Primary School and to report the outcome of the consultation to the Recess Sub-Committee on 16th July, 2007.

 

 

 

 

Laurie BIDWELL, Convener.