Education Committee - 22/04/2002

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 22nd April, 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor de GERNIER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th March, 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 26TH AND 27TH MARCH, 2002

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

II MINUTES OF MEETING OF TEACHER'S JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OF 13TH NOVEMBER, 2001

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

III TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 262-2002 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

(i) BALDRAGON ACADEMY - KITCHEN SERVERY

The Committee agreed acceptance of the negotiated offer from Dundee Contract Services for the refurbishment of the kitchen servery at Baldragon Academy within the figure of 23,200.00, together with allowances of 3,800, giving a maximum total of 27,000.00.

(ii) SIDLAWVIEW PRIMARY SCHOOL - KITCHEN REWIRING

The Committee agreed acceptance of the lowest offer from EW Edwardson (Electrical Contractors) Ltd to rewire the kitchen at Sidlawview Primary School for the sum of 15,595.44, together with allowances of 2,640.00, giving a total of 18,235.44.

(iii) CLEPINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL - REPLACEMENT OF FAN CONVECTORS

The Committee agreed acceptance of the lowest offer from Taylor Mechanical Services Ltd to replace fan convectors at Clepington Primary School for the sum of 5,450.30, together with allowances of 817.00, giving a total of 6,267.30.

IV ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN STARTING PRIMARY ONE

There was submitted Report No 309-2002 by the Director of Education informing the Committee about the evaluation exercise carried out with primary and nursery school staff, parents and children about the change in the part-time transition phase introduced in August 2001.

The Committee agreed to note and approve the content of the Report and agreed to the continuation of the three week transition phase at the beginning of primary one and the Director of Education be required to undertake a periodic review of the continuation.

V CONTINUATION OF SURE START STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION

There was submitted Report No 269-2002 by the Director of Education and Director of Social Work seeking approval for proposals for taking forward Sure Start Dundee for the period April 2002 - March 2004 to enhance and extend support and provision for children aged 0-3 and their families.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the continuation strategy outlined;

(ii)approve the proposals for expenditure of Sure Start Funding in the financial years 2002/3 and 2003/4; and

(iii)remitted to the Director of Education to liaise with the Director of Personnel and Management Services to continue the deployment of staff involved in Sure Start initiatives until the end of March 2004.

VI FUNDING TO SUPPORT MID CRAIGIE AND LINLATHEN UNDER 12'S PROJECT

There was submitted Report No 267-2002 by the Director of Education seeking approval for the provision of continued childcare funding for the Mid Craigie and Linlathen Under 12's Project.

The Committee noted the contents of the Report and approved the proposed continued provision of funding to the Mid Cragie and Linlathen Under 12's Project.

VII CHILD CARE SUPPORT TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS - SCOTTISH PRE-SCHOOL PLAY ASSOCIATION AND DUNDEESITTER SERVICE

There was submitted Report No 268-2002 by the Director of Education seeking approval for the provision of childcare funding to maintain the existing level of support from the Scottish Pre-School Play Association (SPPA) and the Dundee Sitter Service.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the Report and approved the provision of funding to the SPPA of 20,195 and to the Dundee Sitter Service of 40,000.

VIII DEVELOPMENT OF PROVISION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER WITHIN DUNDEESCHOOLS

There was submitted report No 278-2002 by the Director of Education seeking approval for the Education department's proposals for the continuing development of provision in Dundee schools for children and young people with an autistic spectrum disorder.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i)approve the continuing development of provision in Dundee schools for pupils with autistic spectrum disorder;

(ii) approve the upgrading of specific accommodation in Fintry Language Unit;

(iii)approve the arrangements for the establishment of Resourced Locations at Clepington Primary School (in session 2002-03) and Morgan Academy (in Session 2003-04) to support a group of primary and secondary pupils respectively with autistic spectrum disorder; and

(iv)instruct the Director of Education to monitor carefully the level of need for specialist facilities for children and young people on the autistic spectrum.

IX LOCAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE FOR TEACHERS

Report withdrawn.

X MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE AL-MAKTOUM INSTITUTE AND DUNDEE CITY COUNCILEDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Councillors Grant, Rolfe and Shimi declared an interest and took no part in discussion of the following.

There was submitted Report No 308-2002 by the Director of Education bringing to the attention of the Committee a Memorandum of Understanding between Dundee City Council Education Department and the Al-Maktoum Institute of Islamic Studies which will be based in the University of Abertay.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i)note the contents of the report and the establishment of the Institute for Islamic Studies; and

(ii)approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Dundee City Council Education Department and the Institute for Islamic Studies contained in Appendix 1 of the Report.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 52(3)(b) in view of the timescales involved.

XI COMPOSITION - DISMISSAL OF TEACHERS SUB-COMMITTEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN34-2002 relative to the above. At its meeting on 15th September, 1997 (Article VI refers), the Education Committee agreed that a Sub-Committee be established and that the functions of the Council relating to the dismissal of teachers be delegated to it.

The composition at that time was 5 members of the Majority Group, 1 member of the Major Opposition Group, 1 member of the Minor Opposition Group (along with the church representative and 1 teacher representative) as that most accurately reflected the political balance of the Council at the time.

Given the present political balance of the Council it was recommended that the composition be amended.

The Committee agreed to the composition of the Dismissal of Teachers Sub-Committee as 3 members of the Majority Group, 3 members of the Major Opposition Group, 1 member of the Minor Opposition Group and 1 church representative and 1 teacher representative.

GEORGE de GERNIER, Convener.

APPENDIX I