Education Committee - 19/09/2005

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th September 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd August 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

Prior to the commencement of business the Committee expressed their appreciation of the high standards achieved by pupils in the recent productions of Joseph and Chess, pupils who participated in the focus on Achievement Awards Ceremony and the staff involved.

I PROVISION OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO OUT OF SCHOOL CARE CLUBS, CHILDMINDERS, THE UNDER 12's PROJECT AND KIDS UNLIMITED

Councillor Wallace declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his grandchild attending Forthillbillies Out of School Care Club.

There was submitted Report No 553-2005 by the Director of Education seeking approval to continue to provide funding to voluntary sector partners for the delivery of Dundee's Early Years and Childcare Strategy.

The Committee approved the contents of the report and the award of grants as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report shown below.

Under 12's Project: Financial Outline

Kids Unlimited: Financial Outline

II EARLY YEARS AND CHILDCARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

There was submitted Report No 556-2005 by the Director of Education seeking approval to deliver the Early Years and Childcare Workforce Development Strategy and to make payments to a range of training bodies providing training and support to those working in childcare across Dundee.

The Committee noted the contents of the report and approved the payment of fees to training bodies as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report shown below.

Outline of Costs for Delivery of Programmes

III PIANO TUNING

There was submitted Report No 577-2005 by the Director of Education seeking approval to accept a tender for the tuning of pianos for schools in Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross Councils.

The Committee agreed to award the contract for the tuning of pianos for the period 1st October 2005 to 30th September 2008 to:-

Graham Wands, Border Pianos, Boatlands, Blairgowrie Road, Coupar Angus

IV TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 570-2005 by the City Architectural Services Officer, detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) FORTHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL - LOOSE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

Reference was made to Article V(i) of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th May 2004.

The Committee authorised the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to issue acceptances for loose furnishings and moveable gymnasium equipment recommended by the Director of Education for Forthill Primary School up to the value of 33,400.00 together with an allowance of 1,600.00 for professional services making a total expenditure of 35,000.00.

(ii) EASTERN PRIMARY SCHOOL - SUPPORT FOR LEARNING - ADDITIONAL FACILITIES

The Committee agreed that the work be carried out under the Property Maintenance and Small Works Partnership with Dundee Contract Services for additional facilities in support for learning at Eastern Primary School for 23,500.00 together with an allowance of 3,525.00 for professional services making a total expenditure of 27,025.00.

(iii) ROSEBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL - INSTALLATION OF ISOLATORS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Jaydee Heating and Electrical, Dundee for installing Isolators at Rosebank Primary School for 4,364.00 together with an allowance of 655.00 for professional services making a total expenditure of 5,019.00.

(iv) BALDRAGON ACADMY - NEW FIRE ALARM INSTALLATION

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from E W Edwardson (Electrical Contractors) Limited, Glenrothes, for a new fire alarm installation at Baldragon Academy for 62,609.99 together with allowances of 762.00 for building warrant, 680.00 for professional services and 6,873.00 for planning supervisor making a total expenditure of 70,924.99.

V TRIAL PROTECTION AND CONCRETE REPAIRS AT CRAIGIE HIGH SCHOOL

There was submitted Agenda Note AN380-2005 informing the Committee that as part of the Director of Education's schools preventative maintenance repair programme, the City Engineer recommended the installation of a trial cathodic protection and repair system for the concrete cladding panels at Craigie High School.

The specialist cathodic protection and repair system supplier, Fosroc Limited, recommended that the trial repair works be undertaken by their specialist contractor, Concrete Repairs Limited. Authority was sought to appoint the specialist contractor, Concrete Repairs Limited, to undertake the trial repairs up to a maximum cost of 15,000.

In addition to the above, allowances of 15,000 for contingencies and professional fees would be made, giving an overall cost of 30,000.

The Committee agreed the above.

VI EDUCATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 1980 - APPEAL COMMITTEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN381-2005 informing the Committee that nominations had been sought for an additional Chairperson to Chair the Appeal Committee.

The Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) advised that the undernoted person was recommended for appointment with immediate effect for the remainder of the lifetime of the present Council:-

Mrs Mary Hanlon (Former Acting Deputy Head Teacher, St Clement's RC Primary School)

The Committee agreed the above.

VII MORGAN ACADEMY - PHOTOVOLTAIC ROOF INSTALLATION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN382-2005 informing the Committee that the above work would be undertaken by Solar and Wind Applications Limited, Ayr for 59,343.70 together with an allowance of 3,000 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 62,343.70. Solar and Wind Applications Limited had listed the undernoted sub-contractors:-

The work was approved by the Director of Education and City Architectural Services Officer in consultation with the Convener and Group Spokespersons to ensure that grant monies would be claimed from the Energy Savings Trust. The Grant was for 35,820 with the balance of 26,524 being met from the Education Capital Budget 2005/2006.

The Committee noted the above.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973 that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 5, 8, 9 and 10 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Act.

VIII DUNDEE SCHOOLS PPP PROJECT - APPOINTMENT OF PREFERRED BIDDER

There was submitted Report No 536-2005 by the Chief Executive and Director of Education requesting the Committee to approve the appointment of the Preferred Bidder for the Dundee Schools PPP Project.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) appoint the recommended applicant as the Preferred Bidder in terms of the negotiations detailed for the Dundee Schools PPP Project with their formal appointment following approval by the Scottish Executive; and

(ii) remit the task of advancing the project to Financial Close to the Chief Executive, in consultation with appropriate Chief Officers, the PPP Project Team, and the external advisers, with progress being reported to the Project Board and Committees as required.

IX REQUEST FOR EDUCATION AT HOME

There was submitted Report No 566-2005 by the Director of Education bringing to the attention of the Committee an application for the provision of education at home.

The Committee agreed to accept the application for education at home.

KEVIN KEENAN, Convener.