Education Committee - 09/03/2009

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th March, 2009.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

 

Depute Lord Provost Ian BORTHWICK

 

BAILIES

 

George REGAN

Helen WRIGHT

Derek J SCOTT

 

Willie SAWERS

 

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Kevin KEENAN

Ken GUILD

Ken LYNN

Mohammed ASIF

Jim BARRIE

Christina ROBERTS

Laurie BIDWELL

Jimmy BLACK

Alan G ROSS

Tom FERGUSON

David BOWES

Donald HAY

Brian GORDON

Andrew DAWSON

Rev J WILSON

Richard McCREADY

Will DAWSON

Monsignor K McCAFFREY

Fraser MACPHERSON

Bob DUNCAN

Mr M CHOHAN

Helen DICK

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Mrs H MILLAR

 

Stewart HUNTER

 

 

Councillor Laurie BIDWELL, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th February, 2009 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I VALEDICTORY - ANNE WILSON

 

This being the last meeting of the Education Committee prior to the retiral of Anne Wilson, Director of Education, the Convener and Committee paid tribute to her service as Director and wished her well in her retirement.

 

II DUNDEE SCHOOLS PPP PROJECT - PROGRESS REPORT

 

There was submitted Report No 53-2009 by the Director of Education advising the Committee as to progress on the construction and fitting out of schools in the PPP Project.

 

The Committee noted the:-

 

(i) construction completion and operational dates for the schools in Phase 1 of the PPP Project;

 

(ii) anticipated construction completion and operational dates for the schools in Phase 2 of the PPP Project; and

 

(iii) expenditure of 355,135 committed to date on construction phase contract variations.

 

III TENDERS RECEIVED

 

There was submitted Report No 162-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer listing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

 

(i) BRAEVIEW ACADEMY - NEW SPORTS HALL FLOORING

 

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by McKay (Flooring) Ltd, Glasgow for 35,672 together with an allowance of 5,097 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 40,769.

 

(ii) ST PETER AND ST PAUL'S RC PRIMARY SCHOOL - ASBESTOS REMOVAL

 

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Aspect Contracts Ltd, Dundee for 48,800, together with an allowance of 2,549 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 51,349.

 

IV SUPPLY OF SPECIALIST MINIBUS FOR KINGSPARK SCHOOL

 

There was submitted Report No 157-2009 by the Director of Education seeking approval to accept an offer for the supply of a specialist minibus for Kingspark School.

 

The Committee agreed the purchase of a specialist minibus for Kingspark School, procured via the previous Scotland Excel-vehicle framework, to Kerr & Smith, Glasgow for the amount of 33,750.

 

V ADDITIONAL STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY 2009/2010

 

There was submitted Report No 163-2009 by the Director of Education bringing to the attention of the Committee a request to approve one additional day for staff development and training in all schools and establishments over the course of each of three school sessions.

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

(i) note the contents of the report;

 

(ii) approve one additional staff development and training day on 18th August, 2009 and instruct the Director of Education to make a request to the Cabinet Secretary for the additional day;

 

(iii) instruct the Education Department to consider appropriate dates for the remaining two days and report back to Committee; and

 

(iv) instruct the Director of Education to provide parents and carers with advance notice of the revised start date for pupils of 19th August, 2009.

 

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

 

VI INSPECTION OF THE EDUCATION FUNCTIONS OF DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - HMIE FOLLOW THROUGH REPORT

 

There was submitted Report No 159-2009 by the Director of Education bringing to the attention of the Committee the report by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Education on the education functions of the Council.

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

(i) note the content of the report and its very positive conclusion; and

 

(ii) instruct the Director of Education to continue to develop and refine the Education Department's quality improvement strategies, with a view to continuing to improve performance.

 

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 5 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

 

VII REQUEST FOR EDUCATION AT HOME

 

There was submitted Report No 131-2009 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 the application for education at home.

 

 

 

 

Laurie BIDWELL, Convener.