Issue - meetings

There is an exempt appendix in the Exempt Appendices section below.

(a)      note the preferred option(s) for taking forwards the Victorian Schools programme along with the associated costs all as detailed within the Outline Business Case at Appendix A of this report; and

(b)      note the decision of the Education and Children’s Services Committee on 29th April 2025 to include the programme of work into the School Estate Plan and instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to present the costs and programme of works for inclusion in the capital budget setting process for 2026/27.

With reference to article 14 of the minute of meeting of the Education Operational Delivery Committee of 8 September 2022, the Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director of Families and Communities which presented the completed Outline Business Case for the proposed Victorian Schools Programme, detailing options and estimated costs and timescales for improving the suitability of the city’s Victorian school buildings.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the preferred option(s) for taking forwards the Victorian Schools programme along with the associated costs all as detailed within the Outline Business Case at Appendix A of this report; and

(b)      note the decision of the Education and Children’s Services Committee on 29 April 2025 to include the programme of work into the School Estate Plan and instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to present the costs and programme of works for inclusion in the capital budget setting process for 2026/27.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig, moved:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor Malik, seconded by Councillor Watson, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee –

(1)    note the Labour Amendment moved at the Education and Children’s Services Committee on 29 April 2025; and

(2)    agree as Labour pointed out at the Education and Children’s Services Committee, the SNP would be putting the cart before the horse by making a decision to approve a preferred option at this time without fully understanding its effect on the School Estate Plan and potential significant financial and practical implications for other vital projects contained within that Plan. 

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener and Councillors Allard, Cooke, Greig and Henrickson; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Brooks, Farquhar, Malik and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.