Education Committee - 24/06/2013

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th June, 2013.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair (Articles I to VI).

Councillor Gregor MURRAY, Depute Convener, in the Chair (Article VII).

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th May, 2013 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Hunter declared a non-financial interest in respect of Article II by virtue of having a child who attended one of the affected schools.

Councillors Hunter, McCready, Black and Brennan declared financial interests in respect of Article VII by virtue of having children who received instrumental tuition, left the Chamber and took no part in the debate.

II ASPIRE DUNDEE PROJECT

There was submitted Report No 297-2013 by the Director of Education seeking approval to introduce two year collaborative and local partnership Arts Education Programme across primary schools.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the report;

(ii) approved the project, subject to satisfactory external funding being secured; and

(iii) requested an annual progress update from the Director of Education.

III PROVISION OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO VOLUNTARY SECTOR PARTNERS

There was submitted Report No 274-2013 from the Director of Education seeking approval to provide funding to third sector partners for the continued delivery of childcare services.

The Committee approved the award of funding of 60,000 as outlined in Appendix A of the report noted below:-

IV SCHOOL ESTATE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COLDSIDE AREA OF THE CITY - OUTCOME OF THE FORMAL CONSULTATION PROCESS

There was submitted Report No 284-2013 by the Director of Education detailing representations made during the formal publication and consultation exercise on the above proposal.

The Committee agreed to build a shared campus comprising replacement schools for Our Lady's R C Primary School and Rosebank Primary School. A new replacement facility for Frances Wright Pre‑School Centre would also be built. The new schools and pre-school centre would retain their own identity and would have separate entrance areas. Community facilities would also be incorporated within the new build programme and remain separate from the schools but was envisaged that there would be access to the gym hall, dining hall and general purpose areas outwith school hours. The site is that of the former Alexander Street multis.

V SCHOOL ESTATE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE STRATHMARTINE AREA OF THE CITY - OUTCOME OF THE FORMAL CONSULTATION PROCESS

There was submitted Report No 285-2013 by the Director of Education detailing representations made during the formal publication and consultation exercise on the above proposal.

The Committee agreed to build a shared campus set up comprising replacement establishments for Sidlaw View Primary School and Jessie Porter Nursery School. A new replacement facility for Baldragon Academy would also be built on the existing school site area.

VI SCHOOL ESTATE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MENZIESHILL AREA OF THE CITY - OUTCOME OF THE FORMAL CONSULTATION PROCESS

There was submitted Report No 286-2013 by the Director of Education detailing representations made during the formal publication and consultation exercise on the above proposal.

The Committee approved the proposal to discontinue Hillside and Gowriehill Primary Schools and build a new three stream primary school incorporating nursery provision to replace Menzieshill Nursery School.

VII REMOVAL OF INSTRUMENTAL TUITION FEES

There was submitted Report No 300-2013 by the Director of Education seeking approval to remove all instrumental tuition fees in Dundee from session 2013/2014.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the report;

(ii) agreed to abolish all music tuition fees in primary and secondary schools from the beginning of session 2013/2024; and

(iii) requested a future update from the Director of Education on the impact of the removal of tuition fees.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.

Gregor MURRAY, Depute Convener.