Education Committee - 16/02/2004

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 16th February 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor MACPHERSON, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th February 2004 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 20TH JANUARY 2004

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

II EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STANDARDS AND QUALITY REPORT 2002-2003

There was submitted Report No 141-2004 by the Director of Education bringing to the attention of the Committee the Standards and Quality Report on the Education Department for 2002-2003.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the report;

(ii) instruct the Director of Education to distribute copies of the report to staff and key stakeholders in the Education Department; and

(iii) remit to the Director of Education to provide further Standards and Quality Reports on an annual basis.

III DETERMINED TO SUCCEED FUNDING

There was submitted Report No 142-2004 by the Director of Education informing the Committee that the Scottish Executive Report "Determined to Succeed" outlined a strategy for the development of enterprise in Scottish schools.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the Plan for Enterprise in Education set out in Appendix I of the report;

(ii) confirm the acceptance of a grant of 800,973 from the Scottish Executive; and

(iii) instruct the Director of Education to implement the Plan for Enterprise in Education and to provide updates to the Education Committee as appropriate.

IV FUNDING TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS IN OUT OF SCHOOL CAREPROVISION

There was submitted Report No 143-2004 by the Director of Education seeking approval to award funding to continue the initiative set up to enable children with additional support needs and their parents/carers to access Out of School Child Care provision within Out of School Care Clubs in Dundee.

The Committee agreed to continue:-

(i) to develop the existing project to support the access of children with additional support needs to all Out of School Care Clubs in Dundee; and

(ii) the partnership between Dundee City Council Early Years and Child Care Team, Dundee Out of School Care Network and The Inclusion Group to facilitate the operational management of the project.

V SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE

Report withdrawn.

VI TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 154-2004 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) VARIOUS SCHOOLS - WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES

The Committee agreed that, in order to meet the timescale of having these works completed by the end of the financial year, the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services), in conjunction with the Director of Education, accept the tenders recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer within the budget allowance of 26,100 and to permit the work to progress simultaneously in a number of schools it would be likely that more than one contractor would be accepted.

VII RETAINING RESERVED PLACES IN SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No 156-2004 by the Director of Education.

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th February 2003 wherein approval was given to retain reserved places in certain schools, the Committee agreed to approve the proposals to reserve places in schools as set out in Appendix I of the report for Session 2004-2005.

VIII DUNDEE FOOTBALL CLUB COMMUNITIES LEARNING CENTRE

There was submitted Report No 115-2004 by the Director of Education and Head of Communities informing the Committee of progress on the development of a Community Learning Centre through a partnership involving Dundee Football Club and Dundee City Council's Education and Communities Departments.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the progress achieved to date; and

(ii) approve the continued involvement of Council staff in supporting the development of the initiative with Dundee Football Club and other partner agencies.

IX TENDERS - LONGHAUGH PRIMARY SCHOOL AND CRAIGIE HIGH SCHOOL

There was submitted Agenda Note AN60-2004.

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th January 2004 officers were authorised to accept the most advantageous tenders submitted for fencing work at Longhaugh Primary School and Craigie High School provided the tenders were within the available budgets of 15,000 and 37,000 respectively.

The lowest tender for each school was submitted by Dundee Contract Services and as their tenders were within the available budgets they had been appointed to carry out the works.

The Committee noted accordingly.

FRASER MACPHERSON, Convener.

APPENDIX I