Education Committee - 28/02/2011

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 28th February, 2011.

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 24th January, 2011 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I PROVISION OF SYNTHETIC GRASS GAMES AREAS FOR SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No 77-2011 by the Director of City Development and Director of Education seeking approval for the provision of synthetic grass multi-use games areas at Our Lady's and SS Peter and Paul's Primary Schools.

The Committee approved the engagement of Leisure Tec Surfaces Ltd (Dundee) for the supply and installation of an LTS "PlayGrass" 24 synthetic grass multi-use games area at Our Lady's and SS Peter and Paul's Primary Schools at a cost of 18,300.

 

II ST MARYS PRIMARY SCHOOL - INTEGRATION OF INFANT AND NURSERY CLASSES INTO PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDING

 

Councillor Ross declared a non-financial interest by virtue of having a child at the school.

 

The Committee were informed that a late request had been received for a deputation to be heard in relation to the above item.

 

The Committee agreed to hear the deputation and, after stating their case, were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

 

There was submitted Report No 128-2011 by the Director of Education requesting the Committee to consider and approve the integration of St Mary's Primary School infant and nursery classes into the main St Mary's Primary School building.

 

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Hunter, moved that the Committee:-

 

(i) note and approve the contents of the report;

 

(ii) note that two options were offered for consideration of the future education of St Mary's infant and nursery pupils;

 

(iii) accept the recommendation that option 2 is the preferred option and approve the integration of St Mary's Primary infant and nursery class into the main St Mary's Primary School building; and

 

(iv) instruct the Director of Education to write to all parents of children attending St Mary's Primary School with information regarding the integration.

 

As an amendment, Councillor Bidwell, seconded by Councillor Keenan, moved to delete paragraph 2.1.

 

2.1 The Education Committee is asked to:-

 

(i) note and approve the contents of this report;

 

(ii) note that two options are offered for consideration for the future education of St Mary's infant and nursery pupils;

 

(iii) accept the recommendation that option 2 is the preferred option and approve the integration of St Mary's Primary infant and nursery classes into the main St Mary's Primary School building; and

 

(iv) instruct the Director of Education to write to all parents of children attending St Mary's Primary School with information regarding the integration.

 

and insert:-

2.1 The Education Committee is asked to:-

(i) note and approve the contents of this report;

 

(ii) note that two options are offered for consideration for the future education of St Mary's infant and nursery pupils;

 

(iii) accept the recommendation that option 2 is the preferred option and approve the integration of St Mary's Primary infant and nursery classes into the main St Mary's Primary School building; and

 

(iv) instruct the Director of Education to:-

 

- accommodate the Lochee Out of School Care Club satisfactorily within the School;

 

- establish a Project Planning Board including the Head Teacher, two members of the Parent Council, the Manager of the Out of School Care Club and local elected members to be involved in planning the transition; and

 

- write to all parents of children attending St Mary's Primary School with information regarding the integration and the existence of the Project Board.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailie Sawers, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts and Ross and Rev Wilson and Mgr McCaffery (17); and for the amendment - Depute Lord Provost Borthwick, Bailies Wright, Wallace and Scott, Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay, Macpherson and Dick and Mr Forrest and Mrs Millar (15) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

III RELOCATION OF LAW NURSERY INTO ROSEBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL

 

Report withdrawn.

 

IV TENDERS RECEIVED

 

There was submitted Report No 123-2011 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

 

(i) WEST END PRIMARY SCHOOL - REMOVAL OF TREES

 

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 11,138.07, together with an allowance of 1,114 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 12,252.07.

 

(ii) DENS ROAD PRIMARY SCHOOL - NEW ACCESS RAMP

 

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 21,994.94, together with an allowance of 3,134 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 25,128.94.

 

(iii) ST MARY'S RC PRIMARY SCHOOL - ALTERATIONS TO CLASSROOMS

 

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 14,000, together with an allowance of 1,995 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 15,995.

 

V SINGLE EQUALITY SCHEME 2009/2012 - PROGRESS REPORT

 

There was submitted Report No 121-2011 by the Director of Education informing the Committee of progress made in implementing the Education Department's Action Plan within the corporate Single Equality Scheme 2009/2012.

 

The Committee noted the progress made in applying the Education Department's Action Plan and approved the Annual Report - Single Equality Scheme.

 

VI PROVISION OF CHILDCARE STRATEGY FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING DEVELOPMENT OF OUT OF SCHOOL CARE IN DUNDEE

 

Councillor Ross declared a non-financial interest by virtue of having a child at one of the affected schools.

 

There was submitted Report No 126-2011 by the Director of Education seeking approval to continue to provide funding and support for out of school care in Dundee.

 

The Committee approved:-

 

(i) the contents of the report;

 

(ii) funding of grants to Dundee Out of School Care Network which would be disseminated to 20 out of school care clubs;

 

(iii) provision of funding to Spectrum Out of School Club; and

 

(iv) provision of funding to enable Dundee Out of School Care Network to support the annual Big Event and to offer payroll support to 21 clubs.

 

VII RETAINING RESERVED PLACES IN SCHOOLS 2011/2012

 

Bailie Wallace declared a non-financial interest by virtue of having a grandchild at one of the affected schools.

 

There was submitted Report No 127-2011 by the Director of Education, where reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th February, 2001, where approval was given to retain reserved places in certain schools to accommodate children moving into the catchment area during the school year.

 

The Director of Education is required to review the allocation of places on an annual basis and proposed an allocation of reserved places for session 2011/2012.

 

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Hunter, moved approval of the report to reserve places in schools as set out in Appendix 1 of the report noted below:-

 

School	Allocation of Reserved Places	No of Places
Barnhill PS	2 at P1	2
Claypotts Castle PS	2 at P1	2
Craigiebarns PS	2 at P1	2
Craigowl PS	3 at P1, 1 per stage thereafter	9
Downfield PS	2 at P1, 1 per stage thereafter	8
SS Peter and Paul RC PS	2 at P1	2
Grove Academy	2 in S1 and 2 in S2	4
Harris Academy	2 in S1 and 2 in S2	4
Morgan Academy	2 in S1 and 2 in S2	4
St John's RC HS	2 in S1 and 2 in S2	4
St Paul's RC Academy	2 in S1 and 2 in S2	4

 

As an amendment, Bailie Wallace, seconded by Councillor Bidwell, moved a change to the content of Appendix 1 under the school - Barnhill Primary 1 that the allocation of reserved places is as follows:-

 

Two in Primary 1 and one per stage thereafter, giving a total number of places as eight.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailie Sawers, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts and Ross and Rev Wilson, Mgr McCaffrey, Mr Forrest and Mrs Millar (19); and for the amendment - Depute Lord Provost Borthwick, Bailies Wright, Wallace and Scott and Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay, Macpherson and Dick (13) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth F FORDYCE, Convener.