Education Committee - 23/11/2015

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd November, 2015.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th October 2015 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There are no declarations of interest.

II OFF-SITE EDUCATION SERVICE CONSULTATION PROPOSAL

There was submitted Report No 411-2015 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service seeking Committee approval for the Executive Director to formally consult on the relocation and restructuring of the Off-site Educational Service from the beginning of school session 2016/2017.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Murray, moved that the Committee agree, in principle, with the proposal and instruct the Executive Director to formally consult and report the outcome in due course.

As an amendment, Councillor Bidwell, seconded by Councillor Cruickshank, moved that the Committee defers a decision on this school closure, school merger and relocation proposal pending more comprehensive details being brought forward to the Committee including the following elements:-

1. educational rationale for the refocused services drawing on best practice;

2. draft proposal paper to be issued for consultation to be written in plain English;

3. details of consultation approach with off-site pupils consistent with best practice advice from the Childrens Commissioner;

4. clarification of Councils role as corporate parent for off-site pupils;

5. staff structure for the new Off-Site Education service including the Outreach services;

6. draft plans/drawings for the proposed relocated centre at Rockwell;

7. details of alternative school based services that will be put in place for S1-2 pupils and how the funding that is proposed will be invested; and

8. opportunity for members of the Committee to visit the existing three off-site Education Centres and the proposed area at Rockwell which had been proposed.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Depute Lord Provost Roberts, Bailies Sawers and Scott, Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Lynn, McDonald, Murray, Ross and Macpherson and Miss Mands, Monsignor McCaffrey and Mr Chohan (19); and for the amendment - Bailies Wright and Borthwick, Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready and McGovern and Mr Baxter (12) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.