Education Committee - 18/12/2000

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th December, 2000.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor de Gernier, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th November, 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I PRE-BUDGET STATEMENT - ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS

The Convener reported that formal notification had been received of the additional financial resources to be made available to Dundee primary, secondary and special schools following the Pre-Budget statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8th November, 2000.

The total allocation for the City will be 401,320. The additional funding will be for addressing repairs, maintenance and equipment problems within schools.

The Convener asked the Director of Education to produce a report on the proposed allocation of the additional funding for consideration at the January Committee meeting.

The Director of Support Services reported that to enable the undernoted item to be considered in private the Committee should resolve under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the press and public be excluded from the meeting.

The Committee agreed that the press and public be not excluded from the meeting.

II MORALE WORKING GROUP

There was submitted to the Committee Report No 777-2000 by the Morale Working Group which had looked at issues relating to teaching and non-teaching staff morale and welfare in relation to new initiatives, shortage of supply teachers, workload and personal safety and the Committee were asked to consider its findings.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the findings of the Morale Working Group; and

(ii) remit to the Director of Education to report progress on the implementation of the recommendations to future meetings of this Committee.

III MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 28TH AND 29TH NOVEMBER,2000

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

IV RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATION BY LEARNING AND TEACHING SCOTLAND ON GUIDANCE ON SEXEDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No 774-2000 by the Director of Education bringing the Committee's attention to documents produced by Learning and Teaching Scotland on Sex Education in Scottish Schools and seeking approval to the response to consultation on the documents.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) endorse the content of the response to Learning and teaching Scotland as set out in Appendix I; and

(ii) approve proposals by the Director of Education to consult on and publish guidelines on sexual health education for schools.

V RESPONSE TO SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT/"STANDARDS IN SCOTLAND'S SCHOOLSETC ACT 2000: GUIDANCE ON SECTION 15 - REQUIREMENT THAT EDUCATION BE PROVIDED

There was submitted Report No 775-2000 by the Director of Education advising the Committee on the contents of the response sent by the Director of Education to the Scottish Executive in relation to the discussion document, "Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000: Guidance on Section 15 - requirement that education be provided in mainstream schools".

The Committee agreed to note the Director of Education's response to the Scottish Executive in relation to the discussion document, "Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000: Guidance on Section 15 - requirement that education be provided in mainstream schools".

VI PRE-SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING 2000-2001 AND GRANT FUNDING TO PLAYGROUPS AND PARENTS ANDTODDLERS GROUPS

There was submitted Report No 776-2000 by the Director of Education setting out proposals for deployment of the Pre-School Development Fund provided to Local Authorities by the Scottish Executive Education Department for the development of pre-school education services. The report sought further approval to award grants to three Toddler Groups and the Menzieshill Church Playgroup.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the Report and:-

(i) approved the allocation of Pre-School Development Funding to the 18 partner providers of Pre-School Education (private sector) and to one playgroup (as outlined in Appendix 1. Table (a)); and

(ii) approved the allocation of Sure Start funding to support parent and toddler groups (as outlined in Appendix 1, table (b)).

VII SCOTTISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION UNIT CONFERENCE: RAISING STANDARDS IN SCOTLAND'SSCHOOLS

The above Conference will be held on Friday 19th January, 2001 and the Committee were asked for instructions regarding attendance.

The Committee approved the attendance of the Convener, and his nominee, at the "Raising Standards in Scotland's Schools" Conference to be held on Friday 19th January, 2001.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 769-2000 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of tenders received and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

The Committee approved the acceptance of the offer from Dundee Contract Services for the provision of a new access at Clepington Primary School for the sum of 50,130.00 together with allowances of 8,167.00, giving a total amount of 58,297.00.

GEORGE de GERNIER, Convener.