Education Committee - 15/11/2004

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th November 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th October 2004 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ST JOHN'S RC HIGH SCHOOL - REFURBISHMENT AND EXTENSION (PARTNERING)

It was reported that a request had been received from the School Board of St John's R C High School for a deputation to be heard in support of the refurbishment and extension of St John's R C High School. The Committee agreed to hear Mr Jim Leary, Chair of the School Board. After he had stated his case he was thanked for his attendance and the work put in by the School Board in embracing the project, Mr Leary then withdrew from the meeting.

There was submitted Report No 755-2004 by the Director of Education and the City Architectural Services Officer seeking approval to undertake refurbishment works and to extend St John's RC High School.

Councillor Shimi welcomed the initiative and congratulated all those involved in bringing the project to fruition.

The Committee:-

(i)approved the refurbishment works and an extension to St John's RC High School at an estimated cost of 11.5m inclusive of professional fees for construction and fixtures and finishings but excluding furniture; and

(ii)agreed that the City Architectural Services Officer be authorised to negotiate a contract within the overall allowance for construction works of 11.5m under a partnering arrangement with an appropriate contractor and that the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services), in conjunction with the Director of Education, issue an acceptance for this contract.

II MINUTE OF MEETING OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 19TH OCTOBER 2004

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

III SUPPLY OF JANITORIAL SUPPLIES - CLEANING MATERIALS/STORES

There was submitted Report No 740-2004 by the Director of Education seeking approval to accept a tender for janitorial supplies and cleaning materials/stores for schools in Dundee.

The Committee agreed to award the contract for the supply of janitorial supplies and cleaning materials/ stores for the period 1st December 2004 to 30th November 2006 to ICCS MacGregor, 12-17 Abbotsinch Road, Grangemouth.

IV CELEBRATING SURE START IN DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 776-2004 by the Director of Education providing information on the outcome of a recent independent evaluation of Dundee's Sure Start Strategy.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i)approve the contents of the evaluation report "Celebrating Sure Start in Dundee";

(ii)the publication and wider dissemination of "Celebrating Sure Start in Dundee";

(iii)approve the continuation strategy as outlined in the report;

(iv)approve the proposals for expenditure of Sure Start Funding in the financial years 2004/05 and 2005/06 as outlined in Appendix I of the report; and

(v)remit to the Director of Education to liaise with the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) to continue the deployment of staff involved in Sure Start Initiatives for the period of the proposals.

V CHAMPIONING THE ARTS AND CULTURE IN SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No 772-2004 by the Director of Education informing the Committee of the number of successful bids for external funding for the Arts in 2003/2004 and the additional benefits this funding had brought to arts and cultural development in Dundee schools.

Councillor Morrow welcomed the initiative and congratulated all those who have contributed to its success.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i)note the contents of the report; and

(ii)instruct the Director of Education to continue to seek additional external funding for the Arts in schools in Dundee.

VI SUPPLY OF SPECIALIST MINIBUSES FOR KINGSPARK SCHOOL

There was submitted Report No 758-2004 by the Director of Education seeking approval to accept an offer for the supply of two specialised minibuses for Kingspark School.

The Committee agreed to award the contract for two specialised minibuses for Kingspark School to A M Phillip Limited, Forfar, for the total amount of 49,280.

VII FOCUS ON ACHIEVEMENT - AWARDS CEREMONY

There was submitted Report No 771-2004 by the Director of Education informing the Committee of the Focus on Achievement Awards Ceremony proposed for 15th September 2005.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i)note the contents of the report;

(ii)instruct the Director of Education to take forward the preparations for and to hold a second Focus on Achievements Awards Ceremony; and

(iii)continue to seek increased sponsorship.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 765-2004 by the City Architectural Services Officer listing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) HARRIS ACADEMY - REFURBISHMENT OF GUIDANCE BASE AND ART ROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept the schedule of rates offer from Dundee Contract Services for the refurbishment of the guidance base and art rooms at Harris Academy for 15,650, together with allowances of 2,348, giving a total of 17,998.

The Committee noted that Dundee Contract Services had listed the undernoted sub-contractor:-

IX DENS ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL - DISPOSAL

Bailie Farquhar declared a non-financial interest by virtue of the possible future use of the premises by the Dundee Pakistani Society.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN430-2004 informing the Committee that the above property, held on the Education Account was surplus to Education requirements.

The Committee agreed that it be remitted to the Director of Economic Development for consideration of future use or disposal.

KEVIN KEENAN, Convener.

APPENDIX I