Action Points
Haddington Action Group for Schools (HAGS)
On Monday June 16 2008 at 7:00 PM in Haddington Rugby Club
Present:
Jan Ramakers, Chair (JR)
Fiona Mackenzie (Secretary, KAPSP) FM
Mr Iain Gray, MSP (IG)
Mr Don Ledingham , Acting Director of Education, ELC, (DL)
Parent representatives (PR)
Introduction
1. JR introduced IG and DL and thanked them for attending this first HAGS meeting. In order to allow a free and frank discussion, it was agreed no formal minutes would be taken. Rather a series of action points flowing from the discussions will be prepared, actioned as appropriate and any outcome fed back to future meetings.
2. An agenda had been prepared and was followed during the course of the meeting to provide structure to the meeting
Action Points
3. The following action points were agreed;
- HAGS to ask the Council to explain where efficiency savings are being made.
- DL to provide information on the ‘formula’ for composite classes.- post meeting note ; there is no formula for composite classes – the maximum class size for a composite class is 25
- DL to advise if HAGS representatives can formally feed into the strategic budget group that determines spending priorities for ELC.
- DL to advise on backdrop to the class size formula. – Post meeting note, DL to send a copy of the Primary Devolved School Management Policy
- DL to meet FM to discuss roll capping at KA.
- DL to advise how the formula for predictable needs budget dovetails to the councils requirements to reduce spending.- post meeting note, the DSM policy has this information
- DL to advise, given tight financial settlement from Central Government, how ELC will meet the Education commitments within the draft single outcome agreement, including class sizes. (Note final SOA to be published quite soon and there may revisions to draft document) –post meeting note – the SOA states –Work with available resources to deliver the Scottish Government’s pledge to reduce class sizes in Primary 1,2 and 3 to a maximum of 18 pupils, beginning in June 2008.
- DL to consider if HAGS representatives involvement in the Community Planning process whereby the Local Council consult with key stakeholders – fire, police etc to draft the SOA – is possible.
- HAGS to consider drafting a Parliamentary petition.
- HAGS to propose three meeting dates to allow Councillors to attend, 22, 23, 24 September mooted.
- HAGS delegation to take up Provost Richardson’s offer of a meeting.
- HAGS representatives to cascade action points to PSP members and parents.
HAGS Secretariat
June 20 2008.
