Agenda

1. Welcome/Introductions/Apologies
2. ‘De-briefing’ of parent forum meeting of 7th April
3. Parent Representatives for Interviewing for Head Teacher Post
4. Informal Consultation at Bankhead Academy – points and enquiries we need to make.
5. Parent help and support groups (Jean Henretty)
6. Any Other Business
7. Dates and times for future meetings

To All Parent Council Members

Minute of the Bucksburn Parent Council Meeting 3 March 2008 – 19:15

In Attendance: Lynn Swinton, Laura Arnott, Nick Simpson, Katrina Henderson, Ann Stewart, Billy Fagan, Frances Reid, M.L. Robertson (Head Teacher), Mrs Deacon (Depute), Miss Simpson, Mrs Morrice, Cllr Mark McDonald, PC Dan Ruane

Apologies: Ronnie Wright, Pamela Allen, Susan Bryson

1. Welcome – Lynn welcomed new faces and called the meeting to order.

1. 4 Priorities and Funding

1. Parking – PC Ruane informed us that there are currently extra cars parking on the Howes Road due to refurbishment work at Queen Street operations centre. These refurbishments are due to end in June. He suggested police staff may be able to park in the housing scheme instead of Howes Road and also made it clear that if there were spaces available in the police car park at pick-up times then parents would be permitted to use those spaces. PC Ruane also mentioned that the police cannot enforce double yellow lines as this is down to the local authority and suggested that zigzag lines may be a better option for enforcement.

Cllr Mark McDonald told the council that he had met previously with the police in regards to the overspill. The police did have an agreement with the Britannia Hotel to allow them to use their car park but this has since ended. Suggestions raised were the Bucksburn Manor/Lidl car park. Mark said he would contact them again to see what if anything had been arranged.

There is still no crossing patroller for Bucksburn School as there is some trouble with recruitment. A letter will be sent to Claire Coutts requesting a prioritisation of this.

Mr Robertson has now taken the steps of lettering individual parents found parking without arrangement in the school car park.

2. CCTV – A request was put to Mark for possible funding for the final camera required for the whole school to be covered by CCTV. One camera and the cabling would give the school 360° coverage. The existing cameras have already caught vandals and it was felt that the final camera would be the greatest deterrent for vandals. Mark told us he had no ward budget left this financial year but will liaise with other officials. He sent an email to Margaret Jane Cardno in this respect and copied Billy in the email.

3. Playground Games/Markings – Mr Robertson informed the council that new playground markings had been installed in the upper playground and the reception by the children was very positive.

4. Shelter & Benches – A request will be sent to Mark to forward within the Local Authority for possible sources of funding. Bankhead Academy technical and art departments were suggested as other possible sources. The PTA representatives were also asked to put it to their members as a possible direction for their own fundraising efforts. Nick gave more brochures to the school and the council were told that there was no preferred company for these projects. Local companies would be just as acceptable as multi-nationals.

1. Estates Proposals.

1. School Closures & Amalgamations – The council were informed that plans for Bucksburn School were in fact at the same stage as those of Stoneywood School. Members expressed concern that it had been understood that Stoneywood were of a higher priority of at least 3 years. Mark insisted that plans were at the same stage. The council decided to hold an urgent parent forum meeting to discuss these plans. Options on the table at the moment are the closure of Bucksburn and Newhills schools with both rolls amalgamating into a new building to be sited at an as yet undecided location. A re-zoning of the area with regards to the A96 splitting the area for child safety and logistics reasons was also suggested. Mark also informed us that the 28 day limit for reports arguments and objections had started today (3^rd March) so any action to be taken was now a priority. A letter will be sent to Mr David Laing regarding a possible extension to this deadline or request for late input to still be considered. Mark will be copied in that email too. A parent forum meeting will be called for the 7^th April 2008 as this is the earliest available date for use of the hall where let requirements and Easter holidays won’t cause disruption.

2. Reduction in staffing – Mr Robertson expressed concern that tabled plans for the reduction of staff were partly unfeasible due to the very nature of primary education. Each class requires one teacher.

3. Budget Cuts – Mr Robertson told the council of unsustainable budget cuts being imposed by Aberdeen City Council as part of their own book balancing efforts. Mr Robertson feels that current budget levels are already insufficient and any more cuts will have a real detrimental effect for the school. The school had 40 cleaning hours until recently when a cleaner left for another job. She was not replaced and this was seen as a saving by ACC. Mr Robertson told the council there is now mould in one area of the school and a general build up of dirt and dust due to this loss of service. Another cut to be imposed will be to the vital role of school administrator whereby a reduction in pay is being put forward. Mr Robertson also asked Cllr McDonald why ACC had a large amount of money being spent on external businesses which could be handled by internal ACC staff. Mark told the council that these were in fact much needed services being paid for due to a lack of experience by ACC staff with regards to selling off capital. These spends were assuring ACC had the maximum return for their assets. Mark also informed the council that income from the sale of assets could not be used in funding operational projects by law except in very exceptional cases. He also made it clear that these cuts were ACC wide and caused everyone involved concern.

4. Curriculum Support – Mr Robertson told the council that budgeting measures were affecting curriculum support measures.

5. P.E. Pilot Scheme – Mr Robertson informed the council that the P.E pilot schemes being employed within the school were also being ended prematurely. This was of great concern to the council as Bucksburn is a health promoting school. There were concerns that if we cannot reach the children at an early age in respect to healthy eating and exercise education that Scotland’s terrible health record will not be able to improve. Concern was expressed that cuts are being made in essential areas locally which will have a knock-on effect of national significance.

1. Staffing 2008/09

Mr Robertson informed the council of his decision to retire at the end of this school year. The school will have permanent vacancies for the positions of Head Teacher, ASN Teacher and Non-Class Contact Teacher along with a fixed term vacancy for a Depute Relief post.

1. Peter Sanderson’s Questionnaire

The council were issued with a questionnaire from Mr Peter Sanderson, a Principal Community Education Worker employed by ACC. He is currently carrying out a case study on Parent Councils in Aberdeen City as part of his own personal and professional development. Questionnaires will be returned to the school to be forwarded to Mr Sanderson.

1. Adult Learning

The council were told of a scheme being run to assist in parenting skills for all parents. A stall will be in place on the upcoming parents’ evenings to inform parents of this opportunity. The council were informed that all parents would be welcome to participate in activities to build self-esteem and confidence as well as providing information with regards to childcare, back-to-work schemes etc. The council felt this was a worthy project to be involved with. A parent forum meeting will be held at a later date to discuss this and inform the parents of what it will entail.

1. AOCB

Katrina informed the council that parents of Nursery children were wondering if they were included in the Parent Council/Parent Forum. It was discussed that due to the layout of the school and nursery, information was perhaps being denied to nursery parents. Parents of nursery class children are indeed part of the parent forum and their input to council meetings is encouraged. In this respect a possible co-optee of Claire Burbridge was suggested and she will be contacted to enquire as to her availability to join the council.

1. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Monday 10^th March 2008 at 7:15 to discuss the upcoming parent forum regarding school closures.

Matters arising

Letter/email to be sent to David Laing re: 28 day deadline

Letter/email to be sent to Claire Coutts re: Prioritisation of Crossing Patroller

Letter/email to be sent to Mark McDonald re: Council Funding for shelter/benches.

Invitation to be sent to Clair Burbridge re: co-option into the council.