Education Committee - 27/02/2012

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 27th February, 2012.

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 23rd January, 2012 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I RETAINING RESERVED PLACES IN SCHOOLS 2012/2013

Bailie Wallace declared a non-financial interest by virtue of having grandchildren who attend Barnhill Primary School.

There was submitted Report No 56-2012 by the Director of Education where reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th February, 2001, where approval was given to retain reserved places in certain schools to accommodate children moving into the catchment area during the school year.

The Director of Education was required to review the allocation of places on an annual basis and proposed an allocation of reserved places for session 2012/2013.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Hunter, moved approval of the report to reserve places in schools as set out in Appendix 1 of the report noted below:-

As an amendment, Bailie Wallace, seconded by Bailie Scott, moved a change to the content of Appendix 1 under Barnhill Primary School and that the allocation of reserved places be as follows:-

Two in Primary 1 and one per stage thereafter, giving a total number of places as eight.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailie Sawers, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts, Ross and Rev Wilson, Mr Forrest and Mrs Millar (18); and for the amendment - Depute Lord Provost Borthwick, Bailies Wright, Wallace and Scott and Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Gordon, McCready, Hay and Macpherson (11) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

II SINGLE EQUALITY SCHEME 2009/2012 - PROGRESS REPORT

There was submitted Report No 67-2012 by the Director of Education informing the Committee of the progress made in implementing the Education Department's Action Plan within the Corporate Single Equality Scheme 2009/2012.

The Committee noted the progress made in applying the Education Department's Action Plan, and approved the Annual Report - Single Equality Scheme.

III FORTHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL PARKING AND PUPIL SAFETY - WORKING GROUP

Bailie Wallace declared a non-financial interest by virtue of being a member of Forthill Sports Club.

Councillor McCready declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his daughter attending one of the schools affected by the work of the group.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN33-2012 reporting that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Bailie Wallace.

Bailie Wallace, seconded by Bailie Scott, moved that to address issues of pupil safety at Forthill Primary, a Working Group is set up to bring forward recommendations. The Group would include and be chaired by the Chief Executive and have a membership of the four Ferry Councillors, Director of Education, Head Teacher, two parent Council members, representative from Tayside Police, Director of City Development, a representative from Forthill Sports Club and any other relevant Officers deemed appropriate.

As an amendment, Councillor Hunter, seconded by Councillor Bowes, moved that in order to address issues of traffic movement, travel, parking and pupil safety at schools across the City, the Committee is asked to re-establish the working group that looked into parking and dropping-off at Dundee schools. The Working Group will be instructed to bring forward a report to the Education Committee with recommendations based on the 'Progress and Outcomes of the Roll-Out of the Primary Schools Car Parking/Dropping-Off Travel Plan Initiative' report brought to Committee in May 2011.

The membership of the Group to consist of:-

Chief Executive, David Dorward, or nominee

Director of Education, Michael Wood, or nominee

Director of City Development, Mike Galloway, or nominee

Head of Legal Section, or nominee

1 Representative from Tayside Police

1 Head Teacher for Secondary Sector

1 Head Teacher for Primary Sector

1 Chair of Parent Council - Secondary Sector

1 Chair of Parent Council - Primary Sector

1 member from each Political Group on Council

plus any other Council Officer as or if required.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Bailies Wallace and Scott and Rev Wilson (3); and for the amendment - the Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Depute Lord Provost Borthwick, Bailies Sawers and Wright, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts, Ross, Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Gordon, McCready, Hay and Macpherson and Mr Forrest (25) - Mrs Miller being absent when the vote was taken - whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

Elizabeth F FORDYCE, Convener.