Education Committee - 28/06/2010

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 28th June, 2010.

Present:-

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

Depute Lord Provost Ian BORTHWICK

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Elizabeth F FORDYCE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th June, 2010 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Convener paid tribute to Mr Eric Baillie, Teacher representative on the Education Committee, who was retiring at the end of the current session, for his contributions over many years on the Committee.

I TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 382-2010 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) FRANCES WRIGHT CENTRE - RENEWAL OF ROOF COVERINGS

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 96,110.51, together with an allowance of 13,695 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 109,805.51.

(ii) GLEBELANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL - TOILET UPGRADE AND NEW RAMP

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 23,900, together with an allowance of 3,405 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 27,305.

II SCHOOL ESTATE STRATEGY

There was submitted Report No 361-2010 by the Director of Education summarising progress made in maintaining and improving the Council's educational estate.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the School Estate Strategy;

(ii) instructed the Director of Education to prepare a report for the Education Committee, no later than December 2010, on a revision of school capacity data; and

(iii) further instructed the Director of Education to monitor and report progress on capital projects, as appropriate.

The Committee further agreed to note that subject to approval of the terms of the report on the Review of Grove Office and Eastern Primary Accommodation which is referred to at Article V of this minute that proposed planned maintenance works to Eastern Primary School as indicated in paragraph 4.3.5 of the report would not be undertaken.

III HARRIS ACADEMY - REVIEW OF FEASIBILITY STUDY

There was submitted Report No 352-2010 by the Director of Education advising the Committee as to progress on the review of the original feasibility study on the refurbishment of Harris Academy.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the progress made to date on the review of the original feasibility study on the refurbishment of Harris Academy;

(ii) noted that work to date had included the consideration of five options for Harris Academy;

(iii) agreed that further investigation of option 3 ('transformation of existing building') and 4 ('new build on existing site') should be undertaken;

(iv) agreed that options 1 ('do nothing'), 2 ('refurbish existing building') and 5 ('new build on another site') should be rejected; and

(v) instructed the Director of Education to bring a final report on the review of the original feasibility study for the consideration of the Education Committee on 27th September, 2010.

IV ADDITIONAL STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY - 2010/2011

There was submitted Report No 373-2010 by the Director of Education requesting approval for one additional day for staff development and training in all schools and establishments on 1st October, 2010 as granted by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Learning.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the contents of the report;

(ii) approve one additional staff development and training day on 1st October, 2010; and

(iii) instruct the Director of Education to provide parents and carers with advance notice of the additional staff development and training day.

The Committee 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.

V REVIEW OF GROVE OFFICE AND EASTERN PRIMARY ACCOMMODATION

There was submitted Report No 384-2010 by the Chief Executive and Director of Education outlining a range of accommodation options in Broughty Ferry, in respect of the Old Grove Academy and Eastern Primary School.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Hunter, moved approval of the report:-

(i) noting that three options were offered for consideration in the review of Grove Office and Eastern Primary School accommodation;

(ii) approving, in principle, option 3 (the permanent relocation of Eastern Primary School to the old Grove Academy building); and

(iii) instructing the Director of Education to consult formally on the proposal contained in recommendation (ii) above, in terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, and to report back to this Committee in due course on the outcome of the consultation which would run from June to September 2010.

As an amendment, Councillor Bidwell, seconded by Bailie Wallace, moved to defer consideration of the report to allow the Director of Education to bring forward alternative proposals.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost, Bailie Sawers, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts, Ross and Rev Wilson, Monsignor McCaffrey, Mr Chohan, Mr Baillie and Mrs Millar (20); and for the amendment - Bailies Wright, Wallace and Scott and Councillors Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay and Macpherson (10); with Depute Lord Provost Borthwick declining to vote -whereupon the motion was declared carried.

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.

VI REQUEST FOR EDUCATION AT HOME

There was submitted Report No 374-2010 by the Director of Education bringing to the attention of the Committee an application for the provision of education at home.

The Committee approved the report.

Elizabeth F FORDYCE, Convener.