Education Committee - 10/12/2007

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th December, 2007.

Present:-

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Laurie BIDWELL, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th November, 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS FOLLOWING THE INQUIRY INTO SIDLAW VIEW PRIMARY SCHOOL

There was submitted Report No 652-2007 by the Chief Executive detailing the findings of the Independent Inquiry into allegations about Sidlaw View Primary School.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the content of the report; and

(ii) instruct the Director of Education to implement the recommendations as described in the findings.

II PPP SCHOOLS - PROCUREMENT OF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

Mrs Millar declared a non-financial interest by virtue of being a member of staff at Brackens Primary School.

There was submitted Report No 604-2007 by the Director of Education detailing tenders received for the supply of loose furniture and equipment for the schools in the PPP Project.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the acceptance of the revised lowest tender submitted by KM Furniture Ltd (trading as EFM) of 1,362,353.02, and allowances for additional expenditure on furniture, equipment and professional services amounting to 510,263.56, giving a total cost of 1,872,616.58; and

(ii) noted that where required under Standing Orders, reports on additional expenditure would be submitted to Committee when firm prices were obtained.

III REPLACEMENT OF KINGSPARK SPECIAL SCHOOL - UPDATE

The Committee acceded to a request to hear a deputation to address the Committee in relation to access and egress to the proposed new school. The deputation stated its case and answered questions from members of the Committee. It was thanked for its attendance and withdrew.

Thereafter, there was submitted Report No 625-2007 by the Director of Education providing an update on the proposal to build a new Kingspark Special School.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Ferguson, moved to:-

(i) note the content of the report;

(ii) approve Balfield playing fields as the proposed site for the replacement Kingspark School with main access to and egress from the school site to be taken from Johnston Avenue via Glenaffric Terrace;

(iii) approve Glentruim Terrace as an identified access/egress point for cleansing vehicles and emergency services only;

(iv) instruct the Director of Education to formally consult on Balfield playing fields as the proposed site for the replacement Kingspark School in terms of the Education (Publication and Consultation etc) (Scotland) Regulations 1981, and to report back to Committee in due course on the outcome of the consultation;

(v) approve that the facility be constructed to accommodate 125 pupils; and

(vi) instruct the Director of Education to bring forward detailed accommodation schedules for the revised roll in due course.

As an amendment, Councillor Fordyce, seconded by Bailie Borthwick, moved to defer the report.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailies Regan, Wright, Wallace and Scott, Councillors Keenan, Asif, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Morrow, Macpherson and Dick, and Rev Wilson, Monsignor McCaffrey and Mrs Millar (17); and for the amendment, Bailies Sawers and Borthwick, and Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Roberts and Ross (13); with Mr Baillie declining to vote - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

IV DUNDEE SCHOOLS PPP PROJECT - OUTCOME OF THE FORMAL CONSULTATION PROCESS ON A PROPOSAL FOR A REVISED CATCHMENT AREAFOR DOWNFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Mrs Millar declared a non-financial interest by virtue of being a member of staff at Brackens Primary School.

There was submitted Report No 626-2007 by the Director of Education detailing representations made during the formal publication and consultation exercise.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) not to proceed to implement the proposal and that the "status quo" obtains; and

(ii) to instruct the Director of Education to undertake a review of the catchment areas for Craigowl and Downfield Primary Schools at an appropriate time after the new schools were occupied.

V TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 648-2007 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:

(i) MENZIESHILL HIGH SCHOOL - CHILDREN'S SERVICES CO-LOCATION

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 64,644, together with allowances of 5,000 for telephones and IT, and 10,356 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 80,000.

VI SCHOOL COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE

There was submitted Report No 654-2007 by the Director of Education seeking approval for the introduction of a new School Community Support Service.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the contents of the report;

(ii) approve the proposal to combine the Integrated Community Schools Team and the Home School Support Service as a School Community Support Service;

(iii) approve the proposal to structure the new service as described in the report; and

(iv) note that the Director of Education and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) would arrange for the approval of the establishment changes outlined in the report.

VII ST PAULS RC ACADEMY

Councillor McCready declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his wife being a member of staff at St Saviour's RC High School.

There was submitted Report No 658-2007 by the Director of Education seeking approval to merge Lawside Academy and St Saviour's High School on their existing sites, into the new St Paul's RC Academy from the beginning of academic session 2008/2009.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the contents of the report; and

(ii) approve the merger of Lawside Academy and St Saviour's High School on their existing sites, to form St Paul's RC Academy (School Road) and St Paul's RC Academy (Drumgeith Road) in August 2008.

Laurie BIDWELL, Convener.