Agenda

Including any notices of motion and any other items of business submitted as urgent for consideration at the meeting.

Members should declare any financial and non-financial interests they have in the items of business for consideration, identifying the relevant agenda item and the nature of their interest.

If any

Minute of the Education, Children and Families Committee of 11 of June 2024 - submitted for approval as a correct record

Work Programme

Rolling Actions Log

Business Bulletin

City Plan 2030 Report of Examination and Resolution to Adopt - referral from the City of Edinburgh Council

The Seventh Edinburgh Makar - Referral from the Culture and Communities Committee

Motion by Councillor Griffiths - First school in Edinburgh to achieve the Dyslexia Inclusive School Quality Mark

“Committee:

1. Congratulates Leith Academy on being the first school in Edinburgh to achieve the Dyslexia Inclusive School Quality Mark
2. Understands this is a City of Edinburgh Council award promoted within the Literacy and Dyslexia Guidelines, based on Education Scotland's 'Dyslexia Learning Trail’
3. Acknowledges with the assistance of a Support for Learning teacher leading a team of teachers in developing whole school practice, Leith Academy have completed the Literacy/dyslexia and inclusive practice development framework evidencing a firm commitment to, and the development of, excellent practice in the areas of:
   1. the provision of an inclusive learning environment
   2. the quality of identification, support, learning experience and teaching for young people with literacy difficulties/dyslexia
   3. the quality of planning across the curriculum
   4. the effectiveness of the school’s procedures for tracking and monitoring of attainment and achievement
   5. the quality of transition arrangements
   6. the effectiveness of partnership working with learners, parents and key agencies
4. Recognises that Leith Academy can hold the Dyslexia Inclusive School Quality Mark for 5 years
5. Applauds all Leith Academy for their great work and dedication in reaching this achievement and looks forward to seeing how this can be achieved across other schools in the city.”

Motion by Councillor Cowdy – DSM Budget

“Committee notes:

1. Officers proposed several options to reduce Devolved School Management Budgets by £8.2 million for 2024/25 across Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Special Sectors.
2. None of these proposals were taken forward because funding was available to cover pressures for one year.
3. September 2024 Committee includes item 7.3 - Savings Proposals that include a reduction to Devolved School Management Budgets of £3.6 million for 2025/26.
4. Scottish Government Block Grant underfunding of City of Edinburgh Council is likely to continue.
5. Without better understanding of DSM budgets, Headteachers, Officers and Elected Members will be unprepared for future funding discussions.

Committee further notes:

1. Headteachers may carry forward any surplus funds from one financial year to the next, subject to this surplus being less than 2.5% of the school's total budget.

Committee therefore requests:

1. A Report within 1 cycle setting out details of the DSM budgets for all Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Special school settings for each of the last 3 years to include:

(a)   Total DSM allocation for each setting.

(b)   A breakdown of how each setting spent their allocation.

(c)   Total DSM allocation for each setting not spent and why.

(d)   Any overspend of DSM budget for each setting, why it happened and what it was spent on.

(e)   Evidence that the current form of DSM scheme provides best value to the Council.”

The Sub-Committee, is requested under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 8 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

CEC-03-22 – Investigation Closure Report – Special School Culture – referral from the Whistleblowing Sub-Committee