Education Committee - 21/05/2001

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 21st May, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor de GERNIER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th April, 2001, was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 1ST AND 2ND MAY 2001

The minute of the above meetings (Appendices I and II) were submitted for information.

II CHURCH REPRESENTATIVE - EDUCATION COMMITTEE

It was noted that Mr Naeem Tariq, the third Church representative on the Education Committee had resigned and it was proposed to fill the vacancy by placing a notice in the local press seeking nominations.

The Committee instructed the Director of Support Services to make the necessary arrangements.

III EDUCATION PROPERTY MAINTENANCE - PROPOSED SYSTEMS REVIEW

Currently responsibility for the maintenance of education property stock lay within the Education Department and works were carried out in the main by the Direct Labour Organisation, Dundee Contract Services.

The proposed demise of CCT offered the opportunity to establish new roles and relationships between the Education Department and Dundee Contract Services in contrast to the rigid client/contractor split associated with CCT procedures. This potential to re-examine working practices for mutual benefit and cost effectiveness was central to creating a culture of continuous improvement and the principle of Best Value and would take forward property related issues identified by the Morale Working Group.

Consequently, it was proposed to set up an officer/member working group to review existing systems to procure and effect maintenance works. The review would encompass strategic issues such as who should provide the service, where budgetary control responsibilities lie and the future shape of maintenance provision as well as operational issues including work instruction methods, job priorities and timescales.

Given the importance of this review it was proposed to establish a cross-party working group chaired by Councillor George Regan, Convener of Finance, with representatives from all relevant Council departments, Head Teachers from across all sectors and trade unions.

The Committee agreed to set up the Working Group chaired by Councillor George Regan and to consist of elected members on the basis of 3, 2, 1 and 1. It was remitted to the Director of Education to seek representation from Head Teachers and Trade Unions.

IV PPP/EDUCATION - STAFFING IMPLICATIONS

The Scottish Executive advised the City Council on 20 February, 2001 that it had approved grant funding of 305,000 to assist the Council in the early stages of the development of a PPP project for school buildings.

At a special meeting of the Education Committee on 26 March, 2001 (Report No. 198-2001 refers) it was agreed that the Council undertakes a feasibility study and prepares an Outline Business Case for a PPP project for school buildings in Dundee. Paragraph 3.4 of this report detailed the staffing implications of this undertaking and confirmed that staffing costs would be contained within the one-off revenue grant. The Committee was advised that arrangements were in hand to second a Services Manager from the Education Department and a Solicitor from Support Services for up to one year to work on this project, with appropriate arrangements being put in place in the named departments to cover these secondments.

The Committee noted the arrangements made for the seconded posts.

V TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 207-2001 by the City Architectural Services officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

(a) Ancrum Road Primary School - Window Repairs on East Elevation

The Committee agreed acceptance of the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for window repairs on the east elevation at Ancrum Road Primary School for the sum of 23,434.76 together with allowances of 4,054.00 giving a total amount of 27,488.76.

(b) Ardler Primary School - Re-Roofing

The Committee agreed acceptance of the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for re-roofing work at Ardler Primary School for the sum of 46,803.27 together with allowances of 8,028.00 giving a total amount of 54,831.27.

(c) Glebelands Primary School - Roof Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Hall and Tawse Ltd., Dundee for roof repairs at Glebelands Primary School for the sum of 6,850.69 together with allowances of 1,327.00 giving a total amount of 8,177.69.

(d) Kingspark School - Re-Roofing Work - Phase 1

The Committee agreed acceptance of the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for Phase 1 - Re-Roofing work at Kingspark School for the sum of 217,238.40 together with allowances of 31,702.00 giving a total amount of 248,940.40.

(e) St Saviour's High School - Window Replacement

The Committee agreed acceptance of the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for Window Replacement at St Saviours High School for the sum of 22,359.60 together with allowances of 2,125.00 giving a total amount of 24,484.60.

(f) Clepington Primary School - Window Repairs and Painting

The Committee agreed acceptance of the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for window repairs and painting at Clepington Primary School for the sum of 15,586.50 together with allowances of 2,335.00 giving a total amount of 17,921.50.

(g) Menzieshill High School Kitchen

The Committee approved the negotiation of the contract with Dundee Contract Services for Menzieshill High School Kitchen to total no more than 52,600.00 plus allowances of 7,900.00 and authorised the Director of Support services to accept the offer recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer and the Director of Education.

(h) Morgan Academy, Lawton Road - National Grid for Learning - IT Networking

The Committee agreed to approve preliminary work which had already started due to the urgent need for the installation and to approve the negotiation of the contract with Dundee Contract Services for IT Networking at Morgan Academy, Lawton Road not exceeding the sum of 180,000.00 together with allowances of 24,000.00.

(i) Lawside Academy - Window Replacement Phase 2

The Committee agreed acceptance of the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for Phase 2 window replacement at Lawside Academy for 9,790.00 together with allowances of 1,470.00 giving a total amount of 11,260.00.

VI MORGAN ACADEMY FIRE

There was submitted Report No. 307-2001 by the Director of Education which provided an overview of the situation following the recent serious fire at Morgan Academy and made a proposal for the future.

The Committee agreed to:

(a) note the contents of the report.

(b)agree in principle to the re-instatement of Morgan Academy on the Forfar road site as described in paragraph 7.3 and

(c)instruct the Director of Education in conjunction with Dundee City Council Architectural Services Division and Historic Scotland to undertake early design brief work relating to recommendation (b) above, and to bring forward further reports detailing the progress on the various aspects of the proposed reinstatement of Morgan Academy in line with the proposals contained in paragraphs 7.2 to 7.4.

VII RETAINING RESERVED PLACES IN SCHOOLS REPORT ON FORMAL CONSULTATION PROCESS

There was submitted Report No. 309-2001 by the Director of Education detailing the representations made during the formal publication and consultation exercise on the proposed changes to current procedures for placing requests with respect to children who were waiting to gain a place in their local school (Article 5 of the Education Committee of 19 February 2001 refers) and seeking approval to implement the proposals.

The Committee agreed to

(a)note the representations made during the formal publication and consultation exercise on the proposed changes to current procedures for placing requests with respect to children who were waiting to gain a place in their local school;

(b)note that having regard to these representations the Director of Education recommended that the proposals be implemented; and

(c)to resolve as follows:

that the procedures for the allocation of places in schools be amended (as set out in Appendix I) to allow the names of children in Priority 1 (living in the catchment area or attending an associated Primary School) to be placed on a waiting list for a place in their local school until such a place exists.

VIII DEVELOPMENT OF A PILOT INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE SUMMER PLAYSCHEMES IN 3 NURSERY SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No. 310-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval to run 3 holiday playscheme provisions within Beechwood/Foggyley Children's Centre, Frances Wright Pre School Centre and Park Place Nursery in July 2001.

The Committee noted and approved the contents of the Report and

(a)remitted to the Director of Education to liaise with the Director of Personnel and Management Services in order to establish staffing to deliver the holiday playscheme provision and

(b)remitted to the Director of Education to bring forward a further report to the Education Committee outlining the results and implications of making this provision and proposals for further developments within other nurseries.

IX ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT TO OUT OF SCHOOL CARE CLUBS

There was submitted Report No. 313-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval to operate a pilot initiative from August 2001 - June 2002 to improve provision of sports development activities within all Out of School Care Clubs in Dundee.

The Committee noted the contents of the Report and approved the funding of 12,000 to the Sports Development Unit.

X PUBLICATION OF DUNDEES EARLY YEARS AND CHILDCARE PLAN 2001 - 2004

There was submitted joint Report No. 311-2001 by the Director of Education and Director of Social Work outlining details of the Early Years and Childcare Plan 2001 - 2004.

The Committee in so far as its interests were concerned noted and approved the contents of the Early Years and Childcare Plan 2001 - 2004.

XI ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN STARTING PRIMARY ONE

There was submitted Report No. 312-2001 by the Director of Education providing information about the consultation exercise conducted with Head Teachers, Primary and Nursery School Boards and Parent Teacher Organisations and Parents about a reduction of the part-time transition phase at the beginning of Primary One.

The Committee approved the contents of the report and approved a reduction in the part-time transition phase at the start of primary one from 6 weeks to 3 weeks in August 2001.

XII EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCES - PILOT SCHEME

There was submitted Report No. 315-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval for the adoption of a Pilot Scheme for the payment of Education Maintenance Allowances for sessions 2001/2002 to 2003/2004.

The Committee agreed:

(a)to approve the pilot scheme for the awarding of maintenance allowances to young people between the ages of 16 and 19 from lower income families to provide an incentive for them to remain in full-time education and to improve their attainment levels.

(b)that in addition to administering payments to eligible S5 and S6 pupils the Council would facilitate the payment of maintenance allowances to eligible Dundee College students.

(c)to instruct the Director of Education in conjunction with the Director of Personnel and Management Services to bring forward a further report on the additional temporary staffing implications attached to the administration of the pilot scheme which will be fully funded by the Scottish Executive and

(d)to instruct the Director of Education to proceed to invite applications for maintenance allowances by circulating advertising materials and application forms to schools and by advertising as appropriate.

GEORGE de GERNIER, Convener.