Education Committee - 17/03/2003

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 17th March, 2003.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor de GERNIER , Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th February, 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 25TH AND 26TH FEBRUARY, 2003

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

II SUPPLY OF SPECIALIST MINI-BUS FOR KINGSPARK SCHOOL

There was submitted Agenda Note AN143-2003 informing the Committee for information/record purposes that the Director of Education in consultation with the Convener and Opposition Spokespersons due to the timescales involved, had approved the purchase of a specialist mini-bus for Kingspark School from A M Phillip Ltd, Muiryfaulds, Forfar at a cost of 35,220.00.

The Committee noted accordingly.

III CHURCH AND TEACHER REPRESENTATION ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN140-2003 informing the Committee that as of 1st May, 2003 the Authority would have vacancies for three Church representatives and assuming the Council agreed to carry on previous practice will also have vacancies for two teacher representatives on the Education Committee.

It was proposed that the current Church and Teacher representatives continue in their present capacity after 1st May, 2003 until such time as the Council agree their Committee structure.

The Committee agreed accordingly.

IV APPEAL COMMITTEE (EXCLUSIONS, PLACING REQUESTS)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN141-2003 informing the Committee that at present there were wo Chairpersons for the Appeal Committee appointed by the Education Committee, Mrs Mary Reid and Mr Ivan Carnegie. Mrs Reid had intimated that she was prepared to carry on in this role for a further period but Mr Carnegie had intimated his intention to stand down as of 1st May, 2003.

To allow continuity for appeal hearings, especially during the period May/June when Primary 1 and Secondary 1 appeals are heard, it was recommended that Mrs Reid's appointment be continued and that the Director of Education seeks nominations for a second Chairperson for the Appeal Committee.

The Committee agreed accordingly.

V MENZIESHILL HIGH SCHOOL - PLAYING FIELDS DRAINAGE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN142-2003 informing the Committee that the Director of Education had asked the City Engineer to investigate drainage problems to the playing fields and blaes pitches at Menzieshill High School. A quotation of 8,151.00 had been received from Dundee Contract Services for the treatment of the surfaces using specialist scarifying and vertidraining techniques. In addition, allowances of 800.00 for topsoil reinstatement to the damaged soft landscaping strip were made giving a total cost of 8,951.00. The cost of these works will be met from the Education Department's capital budget 2002/03.

The Committee approved the carrying out of the remedial works and the appointment of Dundee Contract Services.

VI MAINTENANCE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION EQUIPMENT

There was submitted Report No 245-2003 by the Director of Education seeking approval to accept a tender for the maintenance of physical education equipment for schools and other sites in Dundee City Council, Angus Council and Perth and Kinross Council.

The Committee agreed to award the contract for the maintenance of physical education equipment for the period 1st April, 2003 to 31st March, 2005 to Kinder Sports Ltd, 16 Cloberfield, Milngavie, Glasgow.

VII PROVISION OF UPLIFT AND REMOVAL OF CLINICAL WASTE FROM SCHOOLS AND OTHER EDUCATIONESTABLISHMENTS IN DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 244-2003 by the Director of Education seeking approval to accept a tender for the provision of the Uplift and Removal of Clinical Waste from schools and other Education establishments in Dundee.

The Committee agreed to award the contract for the provision of Uplift and Removal of Clinical Waste for the period 1st April, 2003 to 31st March, 2006 to Co-An Health and Hygiene Ltd, Railway Road, Welton Road Industrial Estate, Blairgowrie, PH10 6EP.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED - CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

There was submitted Report No 241-2003 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon.

(i)BALDRAGON ACADEMY - CLADDING REPAIRS PHASE 3

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer which was received from Hall and Tawse Ltd (trading as Mansell) Dundee for Cladding Repairs Phase 3 at Baldragon Academy for 337,268.76 together with allowances of 81,763.00 giving a total of 419,031.76.

The Committee noted that Hall and Tawse Ltd had listed the undernoted sub-contractor:-

Tayside Windows, Forfar - Cladding and Windows

(ii)VARIOUS EDUCATION PROPERTIES - WATER HYGIENE PHASE 3

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer from Building Environmental Hygiene Ltd, Dundee to carry out water hygiene works at various Education Properties for 56,500.00 together with allowances of 18,500.00 giving a total of 75,000.00.

(iii) KINGSPARK SCHOOL - TOILET ALTERATIONS

The Committee agreed to accept the schedule of rates offer from Dundee Contract Services for toilet alterations at Kingspark School for 7,826.00 together with allowances of 1,174.00 giving a total of 9,000.00.

IX VARIOUS SCHOOLS - TOILET UPGRADING AND CLASSROOM ALTERATIONS - EXTENSION TO CONTRACT

On a reference to Article V(iv) of this Committee held on 18th November, 2002 and Article IV of this Committee held on 20th January, 2003 there was submitted Report No 253-2003 by the City Architectural Services Officer seeking Committee approval to extend the existing contract.

The Committee agreed to extend the existing contract, incurring estimated additional expenditure of 15,000.

X ANTI-POVERTY GRANT AID TO SUPPORT OUT OF SCHOOL CARE CLUBS

There was submitted Report No 255-2003 by the Director of Education seeking approval to award funding to fifteen Out of School Care Clubs to support sustainability.

The Committee noted and approved the contents of the Report and approved the proposed award of grant to the Out of School Clubs as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report.

XI CHANGES TO THE PROCEDURES FOR THE ALLOCATION OF PLACES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No 155-2003 by the Director of Education setting out recommendations on changes to the procedures for allocating school places in secondary schools resulting from a review of the situation arising as a result of changes to the catchment area of Monifieth High School.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i)make and agree to publish and consult on the proposal to change the procedures for allocating school places in secondary schools as set out in paragraph 7.1 in terms of the Education (Publication and Consultation Etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 1981; and

(ii)note that the Director of Education will report back on the results of the publication and consultation exercise in due course, detailing any representations made, so that final decisions can then be taken on the proposal.

XII LOCAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE FOR TEACHERS

Report withdrawn.

GEORGE DE GERNIER, Convener.