Education Committee - 19/11/2001

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th November 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor de GERNIER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th October 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 23RD AND 24TH OCTOBER2001

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

II HM INSPECTOR OF EDUCATION - INSPECTION OF STANDARDS AND QUALITY IN BRACKENS PRIMARYSCHOOL AND NURSERY CLASS

There was submitted and noted the report of HM Inspectors on Brackens Primary School and Nursery Class.

III HM INSPECTOR OF EDUCATION - FOLLOW-UP TO THE INSPECTION OF MOSSGIEL PRIMARY SCHOOLAND NURSERY CLASS

There was submitted and noted the follow-up report on Mossgiel Primary School and Nursery Class.

IV THIRD CHURCH REPRESENTATIVE

Reference was made to Article II of the Education Committee of 21st May 2001 which instructed the Director of Support Services to seek nominations for the third Church representative on the Education Committee for which five nominations were received.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Shimi, moved that Mr Ayyub Patel be appointed as the third church representative on the Education Committee as his organisation had confirmed the largest number of members in Dundee. Furthermore it was proposed that the Director of Education includes the unsuccessful nominees in the twice yearly meetings that she holds with the church representatives on the Education Committee.

As an amendment, Councillor Dave Beattie, seconded by Councillor FitzPatrick, moved that while acknowledging that all religious groups cannot be individually represented on the Committee it be agreed that:-

(i) The Director of Education arranges to invite the unsuccessful nominees to her twice yearly meetings with religious representatives in Dundee to discuss matters appertaining to religious instruction, etc;

(ii) The Director of Support Services arranges to send copies of the agenda for Education Committee meetings to the unsuccessful nominees;

(iii) On receipt of such agendas, should any of the unsuccessful nominees wish to be heard as a deputation by the Education Committee, the Committee agrees to suspend Standing Orders to allow this; and

(iv) These arrangements shall be extended to cover any other religious groups who make a request to the Education Committee to be included.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Councillors Wright, Shimi, Presswood, Regan, Farquhar, Sturrock, Glen, Grant, Rolfe, Powrie, Mackie, Wallace and Scott, Monsignor Creegan, Mr Baillie and Ms Smith (18); and for the amendment - Councillors Barrie, Richard Beattie, Dawson, FitzPatrick, Petrie, Guild, Corrigan, Dave Beattie, Fordyce, Bowes, MacPherson and Borthwick (12) - with Mr Anderson declining to vote - whereupon the motion was carried.

V TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No. 725-2001 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

(i) MENZIESHILL HIGH SCHOOL - GYM HALL FLOOR COVERING

The Committee agreed acceptance of the offer from John Swan Flooring Specialist, Dundee for covering the gym hall floor at Menzieshill High School for the sum of 10,831, together with allowances of 700, giving a total of 11,531.

(ii) VARIOUS EDUCATION PROPERTIES - WATER HYGIENE

The Committee agreed acceptance of a negotiated offer with Building Environmental Hygiene Limited, Dundee for undertaking water hygiene works at various education properties for the sum of 34,000, together with allowances of 5,175, giving a total of 39,675.

VI SUPPORTING PUPILS WITH SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL DIFFICULTIES

This report was withdrawn.

GEORGE DE GERNIER, Convener.