Education Committee - 24/05/2010

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th May, 2010.

Present:-

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

Depute Lord Provost Ian BORTHWICK

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Elizabeth F FORDYCE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th April, 2010 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 294-2010 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) FRANCES WRIGHT PRE SCHOOL - RENEWAL OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Scottish Electric Contracting Limited, Dundee for 100,771.23, together with allowances of 1,185 for CDM Co-ordinator and 14,390 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 116,346.23.

The Committee noted that Scottish Electric Contracting Ltd, Dundee had listed the undernoted sub‑contractors:-

(ii) ROCKWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL - RENEWAL OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by E W Edwardson (Electrical Contractors) Ltd, for 131,109.92, together with allowances of 1,388 for CDM Co-ordinator and 18,766 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 151,263.92.

(iii) ROCKWELL HIGH SCHOOL - BOILER REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Scan Building Services Ltd, Dundee for 138,279.81, together with allowances of 1,433 for CDM Co-ordinator and 19,778 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 159,490.81.

The Committee noted that Scan Building Services Ltd, Dundee had listed the undernoted sub‑contractors:-

(iv) GOWRIEHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL - HEATING REPLACEMENT PHASE 1

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Scan Building Services Ltd, Dundee for 96,723.89, together with allowances of 1,160 for CDM Co-ordinator and 13,948 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 111,831.89.

The Committee noted that Scan Building Services Ltd, Dundee had listed the undernoted sub‑contractors.

(v) OUR LADY'S RC PRIMARY SCHOOL - EMERGENCY AND GENERAL LIGHTING UPGRADE

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Hydro Contracting, Dundee for 52,100.26, together with an allowance of 7,425 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 59,525.26.

The Committee noted that Hydro Contracting, Dundee had listed the undernoted sub-contractor:-

Scotia Suspended Ceilings, Newport-on-Tay Suspended Ceilings

(vi) BRAEVIEW ACADEMY - TOILET AND SHOWER UPGRADE AND NEW DISABLED WC

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 72,593, together with an allowance of 11,969 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 84,562.

(vii) MENZIESHILL HIGH SCHOOL - TOILET UPGRADE

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 43,072, together with an allowance of 6,282 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 49,354.

(viii) ST VINCENT'S RC PRIMARY SCHOOL - TOILET UPGRADE AND EXTERNAL ROUGHCAST REPAIRS

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 30,254, together with an allowance of 4,569 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 34,823.

(ix) GOWRIEHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL - RENEWAL OF ROOF COVERINGS

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 113,515, together with an allowance of 17,105 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 130,620.

(x) GLEBELANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL - WINDOW REPLACEMENT PHASE 3

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 42,584, together with an allowance of 4,080 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 46,664.

(xi) MENZIESHILL HIGH SCHOOL - UPGRADE TO SCIENCE LABORATORY

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 52,464, together with an allowance of 7,477 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 59,941.

(xii) BALDRAGON ACADEMY - UPGRADE TO SCIENCE LABORATORY

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 79,472, together with an allowance of 11,325 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 90,797.

(xiii) ROCKWELL HIGH SCHOOL - ASBESTOS REMOVAL

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest quotation from Aspect Contracts (Asbestos) Ltd, East Kilbride for 5,950, together with an allowance of 368 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 6,318.

II PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE SCHEME OF SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2011/2012 ONWARDS

Councillor McCready declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his wife's employment as a school teacher.

There was submitted Report No 279-2010 by the Director of Education providing information on the results of a survey carried out to determine if there was support for a change in the pattern of school holidays in October and February.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the content of the report;

(ii) approve the proposal that the October holiday should take place on the second and third weeks of that month;

(iii) note the lack of support for any change to holiday arrangements in February;

(iv) instruct the Director of Education to inform parents/carers and all relevant stakeholders as appropriate; and

(v) instruct the Director of Education to continue to liaise with neighbouring authorities regarding holiday patterns.

III REVIEW OF TERMS OF REFERENCE AND MEMBERSHIP OF BEST VALUE REVIEW GROUP ON EDUCATIONALATTAINMENT

There was submitted Report No 280-2010 by the Director of Education proposing that the Best Value Review Group on Educational Attainment be re-established as the Education Review Group, with new terms of reference and revised membership.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the content of the report;

(ii) re-establish the Education Review Group under that name; and

(iii) approve the Group's aims and the revised membership noted below:-

AIMS

7                                             commenting on progress in a whole range of areas of the Department's work;

7                                             receiving presentations from officers on educational developments;

7                                             taking part in honest and open discussion on areas of common interest; and

7                                             influencing departmental thinking on educational developments.

MEMBERSHIP

7                                             Chief Executive (Chair);

7                                             Elected members: three Administration and three from the opposition parties, viz one from the major opposition party and one each from the minor opposition parties;

7                                             Representation from each of the three Head Teacher groups ie early years, primary and secondary;

7                                             Two representatives from Parent Councils (one primary and one secondary);

7                                             Two representatives from the City Wide Pupil Council;

7                                             Religious representatives who are members of the Education Committee (3); and

7                                             Director of Education supported as necessary by appropriate officers.

(iv) It was further agreed that membership comprised two representatives (one primary and one secondary) from the teaching trade unions and one from the support staff unions.

Elizabeth F FORDYCE, Convener.