Education Committee - 20/08/2001

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th August 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor de GERNIER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th June 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I TOM CARROLL

Prior to the commencement of business, a minute's silence was held in respect of Tom Carroll, Committee Services officer who died on 14th August 2001.

II DUNDEE SCHOOLS' PRODUCTION OF GODSPELL

The Convener congratulated all those involved in the Dundee Schools' production of Godspell

III REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE IN NON-DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS

The Convener announced that Anne Wilson, Director of Education had been asked by the Scottish Executive to lead a review of Religious Observance in non-denominational schools.

IV MINUTE OF MEETING OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 26TH JUNE 2001

The minute of the above meeting (Appendix 1) was submitted for information.

V HM INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS - INSPECTION OF STANDARDS AND QUALITY IN SIDLAW VIEW PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY CLASS

There was submitted and noted the follow-up report of HM Inspectors of Schools on Sidlaw View Primary School and Nursery Class.

VI FOLLOW-UP TO THE INSPECTION OF THE EDUCATION FUNCTIONS OF DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

There was submitted Report No 527-2001 by the Director of Education bringing to the attention of the Committee proposals to follow-up on the comments and recommendations made by HM Inspectors in their report on the education functions of Dundee City Council published in May 2001.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the contents of the report;

(ii)approve the Action Plans prepared by the Education Department for submission to HM Inspectors; and

(iii)require the Director of Education to publish an information leaflet on the inspection and its follow-up processes to staff and parents.

VII CONFERENCES - CHILDREN IN SCOTLAND

It was reported that Children in Scotland were organising two major conferences:-

(a)Children's Voices: The Pedagogy and Practice of Listening to Young Children within Services - 7th September 2001 - Glasgow; and

(b)Children's Voices: Take Account of the Views of Children and Young People - 1st and 2nd November 2001 - Peebles.

The Committee's instructions were requested regarding the attendance of members. The estimated cost, excluding travel and subsistence, was Glasgow 100 per delegate and Peebles 205 per delegate (residential).

The Committee approved the attendance of the Convener or his nominee and one member from the Major Opposition Group to attend both Conferences.

VIII SCHOOL TERMS AND HOLIDAYS 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No 531-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval of the scheme for school terms and holidays for session 2002/2003.

The Committee agreed to adopt the draft scheme (see Appendix) as the Council's scheme of school terms and holidays for session 2002/2003.

IX SUPPLY OF OFFICE SUPPLIES

There was submitted Report No 530-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval to accept tenders for the supply of office supplies to schools in Dundee and other sites in the former Tayside Region.,

The Committee agreed to award the contract for the supply of office supplies for the period 1st October 2001 to 30th September 2003 to:-

(i) Banner Business Supplies Limited, South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9EB;

(ii) Corrie Service Limited, Unit 1, Keiller Buildings, Mains Loan, Dundee, DD4 7BT; and

(iii) Langstane Press Limited, Unit 1, Angus Works, Tannadice Street, Dundee, DD3 7PT.

X TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 451-2001 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

(i) LAWSIDE ACADEMY - REPLACEMENT OF THREE GAS FIRED BURNERS

The Committee agreed acceptance of the schedule of rates offer from Dundee Contract Services for the replacement of three gas fired burners at Lawside Academy for the sum of 10,000, together with allowances of 1,500 giving a total of 11,500.

GEORGE DE GERNIER, Convener.

APPENDIX I