Education Committee - 01/07/2009

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 1st July, 2009.

Present:-

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Elizabeth F FORDYCE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th June, 2009 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the issue involved.

I CONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

The Convener addressed the Committee regarding an incident that occurred at the end of the last Education Committee held on 8th June 2009, whereby a non-elected member of the Committee was subjected to verbal abuse and threats by certain members of the public who were in attendance that evening in the Public Gallery. The Convener was disappointed and disgusted that such reprehensible behaviour could and indeed did take place that evening.

All members of the Committee were asked to join with the Convener in condemning such behaviour and to agree that the members of the public involved be excluded from both the Project Board and the Local Implementation Group for the project phase of the School Estate improvements in the West End area of the City.

The Committee unanimously agreed to the above.

II REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE INITIATIVE - POLICY AND PROCEDURES

There was submitted Report No 333-2009 by the Director of Education reviewing the operation of the School Attendance Initiative.

The Committee approved the Attendance Initiative - Policy and Procedures contained in Appendix 1 of the report and remitted the Director of Education to continue to monitor the revised Attendance Initiative and report back to this Committee in no more than three years' time.

III GENDER EQUALITY SCHEME 2007/2010 - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

There was submitted Report No 334-2009 by the Director of Education advising the Committee of progress made in implementing the Education Department's Gender Equality Scheme 2007/2010.

The Committee noted the progress made in applying the Education Department's Gender Equality Scheme 2007/2010 and approved the Department's Gender Equality Scheme 2007/2010 Action Plan Progress Report as contained in the Appendix to the report.

IV TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

There was submitted Report No 358-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) Rockwell Primary School - Boiler Replacement

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from CMS Heating and Plumbing, Arbroath for 126,243.43, together with allowances of 1,357 for CDM Co-ordinator and 18,000 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 145,700.43.

The Committee noted that CMS Heating and Plumbing, Arbroath had listed the undernoted Sub-Contractors:-

(ii) St Ninian's RC Primary School - Emergency Lighting and Fire Detection Systems

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Dundee Contract Services for 89,865.12, together with an allowance of 12,831 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 102,696.12.

(iii) Clepington Primary School - Replacement of Fire Alarm System

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 62,240, together with allowances of 900 for CDM Co-ordinator and 8,869 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 72,009.

(iv) Dens Road Primary School - Replacement Ceilings

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 32,000, together with an allowance of 4,250 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 36,250.

(b) CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 315-2009 by the City Engineer listing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(v) General School Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Anderson Specialist, Contracting for 21,261, together with allowances of 4,000 for contingencies and 4,500 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 29,761.

V CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE STATUS OF GTCS

There was submitted Report No 360-2009 by the Director of Education responding to the current consultation on the future status of the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the contents of the report;

(ii) approve the Education Department's response to the consultation contained in Appendix 1 of the report; and

(iii) instruct the Director of Education to submit the response on behalf of the Education Committee.

VI EASTERN PRIMARY SCHOOL - NEW EXTERNAL SPORTS SURFACING - PILOT SCHEME

There was submitted Report No 345-2009 by the Director of Economic Development seeking approval for a pilot scheme for the provision of an artificial grass multi-use games area at Eastern Primary School.

The Committee agreed to engage LeisureTec Surfaces Ltd, Dundee for the supply and installation of an LTS "Lifestyle" multi-use games area at Eastern Primary School.

VII CLEPINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL - REPLACEMENT VALLEY GUTTERS AND ROOFLIGHTS - EXTENSION TOCONTRACT

There was submitted Report No 359-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer seeking approval for extending the existing contract.

The Committee approved the extension of the existing contract and incurring estimated additional expenditure of approximately 80,000.

VIII ROWANTREE PRIMARY SCHOOL (FORMERLY MID-CRAIGIE PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDINGS)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN142-2009 informing the Committee that Rowantree Primary School had now moved from the former Mid-Craigie Primary School buildings to their new PPP primary school. The former Mid-Craigie Primary School property was now surplus to Education requirements and it was requested that this be remitted to the Department of Economic Development for consideration of future use or disposal.

The Committee agreed to the above.

Elizabeth F FORDYCE, Convener.