Agenda, decisions and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be located at the following link:

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=143&MId=2889&Ver=4

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

The Convener welcomed Shona Wildi to her first meeting of the Committee as parent representative for secondary schools. The Convener added that she hoped Mrs Wildi would find her time on the Committee informative and that the Committee looked forward to her contribution.

The Convener advised that the pupil due to attend today’s meeting had unfortunately taken ill, but noted that a briefing note was available in the agenda pack which provide a synopsis of the successful project.

None to date.

The Committee had before it a number of requests for deputation as follows:

Item 6.1 – Statutory Consultation – Replacement South School

·        Torry Community Council

Item 7.1 – Community Centres

·        Ann Pirie (Chairperson, Powis Gateway Community Centre)

·        Reverend Denise Cowie (Vice Chairperson, Powis Gateway Community Council)

·        Alex Mess

·        Paul O’Connor MBE

The Committee noted that all requests had been received in terms of the Council’s Standing Orders.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to agree to hear the deputation by Torry Community Council immediately after consideration of item 2.2 of the agenda (minute of meeting of the Culture and Sport Sub Committee of 8 March 2013), and to consider the corresponding report immediately thereafter;

(ii)        to agree to hear deputations from Ann Pirie, Reverend Denise Cowie, Alex Mess and Paul O’Connor immediately after consideration of item 6.1 of the agenda, and to consider the corresponding report immediately thereafter.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 30 May 2013.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         in relation to article 5, resolution (v) (Performance Report), to note that officers would circulate details to members on the breakdown of usage by community, for example the regeneration areas of the city, in relation to the number of non pool attendances for Aberdeen Sports Village, and that this data would also be included in future performance reports;  and

(ii)        to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Committee had before it the minute of meeting of the Culture and Sport Sub Committee of 8 March 2013. 

The Committee resolved:

to note the minute.

Reference was made to article 4 of the minute of its meeting of 28 March 2013 at which time the Committee instructed officers to carry out statutory consultation on the following formal proposal “to close Kincorth Academy and Torry Academy and to amalgamate the two schools on a new purpose built secondary school on the Bobby Calder Park site”. The Committee had before it on this day a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which presented the outcome of the statutory consultation.

With reference to article 3 of this minute, the Committee heard from David Fryer and Lesley-Anne Yeats on behalf of Torry Community Council, who advised that it would be their preference for children in the Torry area to be educated in Torry, however they accepted that it was likely the Council would now proceed with plans to locate the new, much needed school at Bobby Calder Park. Mr Fryer and Ms Yeats continued that their primary concern was now around the travel arrangements for pupils from Torry who would have to travel to attend the new school. They asked that the Council provide free, dedicated bus services to transport the school pupils to and from the new school, and that this service should also take into account accessibility to extra curricular activities.

The Committee asked a number of questions of the deputation and officers, and the Convener thanked Mr Fryer and Ms Yeats for their contribution.

The Director of Education, Culture and Sport took the opportunity to thank the Head Teachers at both Kincorth and Torry Academies for their ongoing hard work and dedication. 

The report recommended:

that the Committee –

(a)       accept the recommendation to proceed with the above proposal and to instruct officers to make the necessary arrangements to deliver the new school by the beginning of school session 2016/17, i.e. August 2016; and

(b)       instruct officers to work with local transport providers to provide subsidised dedicated transport for pupils resident in the catchment area of Torry to the proposed new school whereby the council will support the service and pupils will pay a fare for each journey made.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener, moved:

            that the Committee –

(1)       accept the recommendation to proceed with the above proposal and to instruct officers to make the necessary arrangements to deliver the new school by the beginning of school session 2016/17, ie August 2016;

(2)       instruct officers to work with local transport providers to provide subsidised dedicated transport for pupils resident in the catchment area of Torry to the proposed new school whereby the Council will support the service and pupils may pay a fare for each journey made;  and

(3)       to instruct officers to investigate the potential transport needs of all other pupils within the catchment areas of the new school.

Councillor Townson, seconded by Councillor McCaig, moved as an amendment:

            that the Committee –

(I)         accept the recommendation to proceed with the above proposal and to instruct officers to make  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

With reference to article 14 of the minute of its previous meeting of 30 May 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided an update on the current position in relation to a number of community centres across the city.

With reference to article 3 of this minute, the Convener invited the deputations to address the Committee on the matter before it.

Ann Pirie, Chairperson, Powis Gateway Community Centre advised that in her opinion, the management committee had complied with everything that had been asked of it. In relation to the lease to a commercial childcare provider, referred to at paragraph 5.3.5 of the report, Ms Pirie was clear that reference to this lease had been included in the business plan for the community centre, which had been approved by the Council. She reiterated that this was a reliable source of income, which would be almost impossible to replace.

Reverend Denise Cowie addressed the Committee and advised that the footfall at the community centre for last year had been approximately 50,000, a huge increase on the 7,000 footfall experienced when the Council was running the centre. She continued that the lease to the commercial childcare provider provided a fixed income to the centre which allowed it to provide a large programme of activities for the community free of charge.

In relation to the commercial childcare lease, Mr Alex Mess provided a historical context for members of the Committee, and reiterated that the Council received the books of the community centre annually, which always made reference to the lease, and asked for clarity as to why officers were only now challenging this. Mr Mess also stated that the management committee had undertaken everything asked of it by the Council.

Paul O’Connor MBE, on addressing the Committee, argued that it was a “service” that was provided by the commercial childcare provider, rather than a business operating from the community centre. Mr O’Connor stated that all the management committee wanted to do was provide services that the Council, the community centres and the public could be proud of.

Members asked a number of questions of the deputations and officers, and in particular, in relation to the absence of paperwork for the commercial childcare provider, the Legal Manager advised that the lack of written agreement and clarity around responsibilities was a risk to both the Council and the management committee. The Service Manager for Communities then brought members up to date on the most recent position in relation to a number of community centres across the city.

The Convener thanked the four deputations for their input.

The report recommended:

that the Committee –

(a)       note the update provided in the report; and

(b)       in respect of Powis Community Centre, instruct officers to bring back a further report on this issue in January 2014 with a recommended longer term resolution, and in the interim seek to put in place a License to Occupy arrangement.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Committee had before it a statement of pending and outstanding committee business, prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to remove items 3 (Provision for Children with Additional Support Needs – Raeden, 5 (Move to a Cultural Trust), 6 (Newhills Primary School/ Brimmond School) and (14 (Community Centres) from the business statement;

(ii)        to otherwise note the updates as contained within the business statement.

Reference was made to article 9 of the minute of its meeting of 28 March 2013 and article 16 of the minute of meeting of the Enterprise, Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 29 August 2013 at which time members considered a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which presented members with proposals to run a business start up competition for a business to operate from within Northfield Academy.  The report had been referred to this Committee for final approval.

The report recommended:

that the Committee:

(a)       give approval for officers in Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure to deliver the pilot competition as described in the report;

(b)       give approval that current finances available within the existing employability, skills and community enterprise budget to a maximum of £30,000 be used to fund this proposed pilot;

(c)        that the Committee refer this report to the September Education, Culture and Sport Committee for final approval.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the pilot scheme “Enterprising Academies”, within Northfield Academy as per the guidance in the report.

With reference to article 6 of the minute of its previous meeting of 30 May 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Head of Finance which advised members of the current year revenue budget to date for the Service, and outlined any areas of risk and management action being taken in this regard.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the forecast outturn on the revenue budget, and the information on the areas of risk and management action contained therein; and

(b)       instructs officers to continue to review budget performance and report on service strategies.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 7 of the minute of its previous meeting of 30 May 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which detailed the capital spend to date for Service projects included within the non housing capital plan.

The report recommended –

that the Committee note the current position.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided an update on ongoing work to improve school security.

The report recommended –

that the Committee note the ongoing work to improve school security.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)        to note that officers would provide members with details of the breaches in relation to school security, and the lessons learned.

With reference to article 17 of the minute of its previous meeting of 30 May 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which sought approval for the allocation of cultural awards.

The report recommended –

that the Committee approves the allocation of cultural awards as outlined within the body of the report.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve the allocation of cultural awards as follows:

(ii)        to note that officers would provide members with details on the specific reasons why the full amount requested by applicants had not been recommended for approval in each case.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which presented the revised Library and Information Services Management Rules regulating the use and conduct of members of the public whilst in library facilities provided by the Council.

The report recommended –

that the Committee:

(a)       approve the draft Library and Information Services Management Rules 2013 to allow officers to proceed with the formal process of public notification as required by S112 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982; and

(b)       note that a report detailing the outcome of this public notification will be presented to this Committee on 21 November 2013.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided an overview of the MAKlab project, a not for profit facility that would offer young people, creative students, entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses, community groups and the public the chance to make almost anything using a range of digital fabrication equipment, which they could be trained to use.

The report recommended –

that the Committee agrees the allocation of £50,000 from the Place Partnership programme jointly funded by Aberdeen City Council and Creative Scotland to support the MAKlab pilot in Aberdeen.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendation.

With reference to article 18 of the minute of its previous meeting of 30 May 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which presented applications for financial assistance from Commonwealth Water Polo Championship 2014 Organising Company Limited, the Northern Trophy Day and Colin Sim – Aberdeen Wheelers Cycling Club.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)     consider the applications through the significant sporting events grant programme and approve the following recommendations:

(b)     consider the application through the coach and volunteer workforce development grant programmeand approve the following recommendation:

(c)      note the categories agreed by the Culture and Sport Sub Committee on the 1 July 2013 relating to the new sports grant funding streams.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 8 of the minute of its meeting of 30 May 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which provided a summary of performance data and service plan actions to 30 June 2013, as well as the most recent service wide performance indicators from the Education, Culture and Sport Directorate.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the Education, Culture and Sport Service performance report for the period up to the 30 June 2013;

(b)       note the progress toward service plan actions up to 30 June 2013;

(c)        approve the Education, Culture and Sport statutory performance indicators return covering the 2012/13 financial and 2011/12 academic years;

(d)       approve the briefing notes; educational outcomes for looked after children June 2013 and healthy living survey 2013;

(e)       approve the 2012/13 key performance indicators (sports) – Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen Sports Village summary.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendations.

The Convener advised that David Leng, Head of Schools and Educational Establishments, had been recently appointed as Director of Education at Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils, further to 27 years of service at this Council. The Committee thanked Mr Leng for his dedication and support over the years, and wished him well in his new post.

- JENNIFER LAING; Convener