Decision details

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that officers would incorporate an overview of previous instructions and schools where work had already commenced in the annual update of the School Estate Plan to ensure that Members had oversight of all projects;

(ii)       to note that officers would look at the language used in consultation documentation to ensure that it was easily accessible for parents, and that they would meet with the Aberdeen City Parent Forum ahead of consultation being undertaken;

(iii)      to note the request from the Aberdeen City Parent Forum that officers provide further detail at its meeting in December around the accessibility of schools and how this will be assessed;

(iv)      to note that the Chief Officer - Education would issue further communication to schools and Parent Councils to promote the School Estate Plan consultation link;

(v)      to thank officers for the considerable effort in preparing the next stage of the School Estate Plan, and note the proposed Implementation Plan and timescales;

(vi)      to agree that the 38 separate instructions within the implementation plan will be reported back to future meetings of the Education and Children’s Committee as a combination of updates to the plan and separate standalone reports;

(vii)     to note that the approved motion in September 2022 included an instruction to officers to report on the feasibility study to identify options for reducing the number of primary schools in the Northfield ASG and Oldmachar ASG areas and to agree that officers should fully explore and exhaust all options in order to avoid any such school closures where possible.