Education Committee - 26/01/2009

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 26th January, 2009.

Present:-

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

Depute Lord Provost Ian BORTHWICK

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Laurie BIDWELL, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th December, 2008 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IMPROVEMENT OBJECTIVES 2008/2009

There was submitted Report No 7-2009 by the Director of Education detailing progress made on meeting improvement objectives set by the Education Department for 2007/2008, and summarising objectives for session 2008/2009.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the progress the Education Department had made in meeting improvement objectives in session 2007/2008;

(ii) approved the revised improvement objectives for session 2008/2009;

(iii) instructed the Director of Education to bring forward a report in October 2009 on progress made in meeting the revised improvement objectives; and

(iv) noted and acknowledged schools' achievements during last session.

II SCHOOL ESTATE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LOCHEE AREA OF THE CITY

Councillor Hunter declared a non-financial interest by virtue that his son attends Charleston Primary School.

There was submitted Report No 68-2009 by the Director of Education advising the Committee of a proposal to improve the school estate in the Lochee area of the City and to seek approval to consult on the proposal.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the content of the report;

(ii) approve the proposal to build 2 x 1 stream primary schools with four additional classrooms on a shared site adjacent to the existing St Clement's Primary School building to replace Charleston Primary School, Lochee Primary School and St Clement's Primary School; and

(iii) instruct the Director of Education to formally consult on the proposal contained in recommendation (ii) above in terms of the Education (Publication and Consultation etc) (Scotland) Regulations 1981 and to report back to this Committee in due course on the outcome of the consultation so that a final decision on the proposal could be made.

III SCHOOL ESTATE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WEST END OF THE CITY

There was submitted Report No 69-2009 by the Director of Education advising the Committee of a proposal to improve the school estate in the West End of the City and to seek approval to consult on the proposal.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the content of the report;

(ii) approve the proposal to build 2 x 1 stream primary schools with six additional classrooms on a shared site on the site of the former Harris Academy Annexe to replace Park Place Primary School, Park Place Nursery and St Joseph's Primary School; and

(iii) instruct the Director of Education to formally consult on the proposal contained in recommendation (ii) above in terms of the Education (Publication and Consultation etc) (Scotland) Regulations 1981 and to report back to this Committee in due course on the outcome of the consultation so that a final decision on the proposal could be made.

IV CHILD PROTECTION GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

There was submitted Report No 51-2009 by the Director of Education seeking approval for revised guidelines and procedures relative to the above.

The Committee noted the content of the report and approved the Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures as noted in the Appendix to the report.

V REVISED RACE EQUALITY POLICY AND GUIDELINES

There was submitted Report No 52-2009 by the Director of Education relative to the above.

The Committee approved the revised Race Equality Policy and Guidelines 2008/2011.

VI PPP SCHOOLS - PROCUREMENT OF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

Councillors Black and Hunter declared a non-financial interest by virtue of their Council appointments to Dovetail.

There was submitted Report No 20-2009 by the Director of Education and City Architectural Services Officer seeking approval to incur additional expenditure on the supply and fitting of furniture and equipment for schools in the PPP Project.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the updated tender cost of 1,500,471.29 with KM Furniture Ltd (trading as EFM), together with the revised allowances for additional expenditure on professional services and the supply and fitting of furniture and equipment amounting to 459,195.89, giving a total revised cost of 1,959,667.18, being an overall increased cost of 87,050.60; and

(ii) note that where required under Standing Orders, reports on the additional expenditure would be made to this Committee once firm prices were obtained.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 30-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer listing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) CASTLEPARK CENTRE - UPGRADE KITCHEN

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Alexander Oastler Ltd, Dundee for 35,114.03, together with an allowance of 5,640.00 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 40,762.03.

The Committee noted that Alexander Oastler Ltd, had listed the undernoted sub-contractors:-

VIII CRAIGIE HIGH SCHOOL - EMERGENCY LIGHTING INSTALLATION - EXTENSION TO CONTRACT

There was submitted Report No 36-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer requesting approval to extend the existing contract.

The Committee agreed to extend the existing contract and incur estimated additional expenditure of 50,529.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 5 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

IX REQUEST FOR EDUCATION AT HOME

There was submitted Report No 27-2009 by the Director of Education outlining an application for education at home.

The Committee agreed to the application for education at home.

Laurie BIDWELL, Convener.