Education Committee - 27/04/2015

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 27th April, 2015.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 23rd March, 2015 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Mr Baxter declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his wife who is a member of the Multisensory Support Staff.

II EQUALITY OUTCOMES 2013-2017

There was submitted Report No 138-2015 by the Director of Education informing the Committee of progress made towards the Equality Outcomes set by the Education Department for the period 2013‑2017.

The Committee noted the Education Department's Equality Outcomes and approved the progress made towards implementation of them.

III SCOTTISH ATTAINMENT CHALLENGE

There was submitted Report No 161-2015 by the Director of Education providing an outline of the Scottish Attainment Challenge and the potential implications for Dundee.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the nature of the Scottish Attainment Challenge, and welcome and support the new initiative and investment; and

(ii) request a progress update on funding and implementation from the Director of Education in October 2015.

IV SENIOR PHASE ATTAINMENT - LEAVER'S DATA

There was submitted Report No 163-2015 by the Director of Education informing the Committee of the attainment by senior school leavers in academic session 2013/2014, consisting of S4-S6 pupils.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

V STAFF SHORTAGES IN DUNDEE SCHOOLS

This item was placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Bidwell who asked the Committee to request regular reporting on staffing in Dundee City Council schools.

The Committee agreed to note the concerns from members of the Education Committee about staffing shortages in session 2014/2015:-

(i) instructing the Director of Education to write on behalf of the Committee to the Cabinet Secretary for Education urging her to review the availability of supply teachers and a further increase in teacher training places at Dundee University especially in Primary Education and shortage subjects in Secondary Education; and

(ii) instructing the Director of Education to produce an annual staffing report which is presented to Committee in October detailing the overall number of school staff in post at the national teacher and pupil census point in September comparing this with the Council's commitment to maintain teacher numbers, to review the effectiveness of school staff recruitment approaches, to examine school staff retention and to project workforce requirements for our schools.

VI DEVELOPING A BRIEF FOR THE YOUNG MOTHERS' UNIT

This item was placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Bidwell who asked the Committee to request a written report on the re-structuring and re-location of the Young Mothers' Unit at Menzieshill High School.

Councillor Bidwell seconded by Councillor Brennan moved that the Committee instructs the Director of Education that before staffing plans for the YMU are finalised and the physical plans approved, he should return to the Education Committee with a detailed paper including:

(i) options appraisal;

(ii) written rationale for the organisational and educational structure of the YMU and detailed physical plans at the accommodation of the YMU at the Baldragon Campus drawing on features that have made the YMU at Menzieshill High School a success and future developments and ambitions for the YMU; and

(iii) details of the participation of YMU staff, current YMU young mums, former YMU young mums and current YMU parents/carers engagement in the process.

As an amendment Councillor Hunter seconded by Councillor Murray moved that no action be taken on Councillor Bidwell's proposals.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Bailies Wright, Borthwick and Scott, Councillors Keenan, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Gordon, McCready and MacPherson and Monsignor McCaffrey, Mr Douris and Mr Baxter (13); and for the amendment - the Convener, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts, Bailie Sawers and Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Lynn, McDonald, Melville, Murray and Ross (15) - whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener.