Education Committee - 15/10/2001

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th October 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor de GERNIER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th September 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 18TH SEPTEMBER 2001

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

II MINUTE OF MEETING OF JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE - TEACHERS OF 13TH MARCH 2001

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

III HM INSPECTORATE OF EDUCATION - FOLLOW-UP TO THE INSPECTION OF CLEPINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

There was submitted and noted the follow-up report of HM Inspectors on Clepington Primary School.

IV CONFERENCE - "EDUCATION, SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL INCLUSION"

It was reported that the above conference was to be held on 24th October 2001 in Glasgow at a cost of 95 per delegate, excluding travel and subsistence.

The Committee approved the attendance of the Convener, or his nominee, and one member from the Major Opposition Party to attend the conference.

V TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 640-2001 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

(i) ST PIUS PRIMARY SCHOOL - OVERHAUL WINDOWS ON ALL ELEVATIONS

The Committee agreed acceptance of the schedule of rates offer from Dundee Contract Services for the overhaul of windows on all elevations at St Pius Primary School for the sum of 3,500, together with allowances of 525, giving a total of 4,025.

(ii)VARIOUS SCHOOLS - INSTALLATION OF CAVITY BARRIERS IN ROOF SPACES AND LARGE DUCTS

The Committee agreed acceptance of the lowest offer from Muirfield (Contracts) Limited, Dundee, for the installation of cavity barriers in roof spaces and large ducts at various schools for the sum of 67,991.61, together with allowances of 10,920, giving a total of 78,911.61.

VI BUDGET 2001 - ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No 669-2001 by the Director of Education seeking Committee approval for allocating the additional financial resources (255,000) made available to schools following the budget statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in March 2001.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i)approve the allocation of additional funding to schools on the same basis as the Scottish Executive determined allocations for individual Education Authorities ie

(ii)note that it is a condition of payment that schools will report to parents of pupils at the school how the money has been used, either through the school development plan or by other means; and

(iii)instruct the Director of Education to advise schools on their allocations and on compliance with the conditions attached to the grant.

VII REVISED DATES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL (P1) ENROLMENT AND PRIMARY/SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSFER (P7/S1) ARRANGEMENTS

There was submitted Report No 668-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval of changes to the dates for the administration of primary school (P1) pupil enrolment and primary/secondary school pupil transfer (P7/S1).

The Committee agreed to:-

(i)approve the following changes to the dates for the administration of primary school pupil enrolment and primary/secondary school pupil transfer -

and

(ii) instruct the Director of education to take appropriate action to publicise the changed dates.

VIII SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE AFFECTED BY DISABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN LEISURE ACTIVITIES

There was submitted Report No 652-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval to award funding to continue and further extend the project which supports young people whose lives are affected by disability.

The Committee approved the proposals to develop a pilot group for younger children whose lives are affected by disability within their immediate family.

IX FUNDING TO SUPPORT MID CRAIGIE AND LINLATHEN UNDER 12S PROJECT

There was submitted Report No 653-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval for the provision of childcare funding for the Mid Craigie and Linlathen Under 12s Project.

The Committee noted the contents of the report and approved the proposed provision of funding to the Mid Craigie and Linlathen Under 12s Project.

X GRANT AID TO EARLY YEARS GROUPS AND OUT OF SCHOOL CLUBS

There was submitted Report No 655-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval to award grants up to 1,000 to registered out of school care clubs, registered playgroups and partner provider nurseries and grants of up to 500 to parent and toddler groups.

The Committee noted the contents of the report and approved the award of grants to early years groups and out of school clubs as outlined in Appendix 2.

XI IMPROVING PUPIL ACHIEVEMENT - REPORT 2000/2001

There was submitted Report No 670-2001 by the Director of Education providing an update on the progress of the strategy to improve pupil achievement in Dundee schools, identifying the initiatives which have been taken forward to improve attainment, indicating the support which has been provided by the Education Department to assist schools in this process and giving details of the progress made towards local and national targets relating to attainment.

The Committee approved the contents of the report.

GEORGE de GERNIER, Convener