Approved Minutes of Meeting
West Dunbartonshire Council · 26 November 2025
Back to Educational Services Committee — 26 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COMMITTEE At a Hybrid Meeting of the Educational Services Committee held in the Civic Space, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton on Wednesday, 26 November 2025 at 10.00 a.m. Present: Provost Karen Murray Conaghan and Councillors Fiona Hennebry, Gurpreet Singh Johal, David McBride, Michelle McGinty, John Millar, Lawrence O’Neill, Lauren Oxley, Martin Rooney, William Rooney, Gordon Scanlan, Hazel Sorrell, Clare Steel and Sophie Traynor, and Mrs Barbara Barnes, Mr Gavin Corrigan, Ms Joanne McLaren and Ms Julia Strang. Attending: Gillian Hamilton, Chief Education Officer; Alison Bowers, Senior Education Officer – Early Learning and Attainment; Andrew Brown, Senior Education Officer – Policy, Performance and Resources; Claire Cusick, Senior Education Officer – Services for Children and Young People; Julie McGrogan, Senior Education Officer – Raising Attainment/Improving Learning; Michelle Lynn, Asset Manager; Joe Reilly, Business Unit Finance Partner (Education); Alan Douglas, Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration (Legal Officer); and Scott Kelly, Committee Officer. Apologies: Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Miss Ellen McBride and Reverend Ian Miller. Councillor Clare Steel in the Chair CHAIR’S REMARKS Councillor Steel, Chair, welcomed Gillian Hamilton to her first meeting of the Committee following her appointment as Chief Education Officer. STATEMENT BY CHAIR – AUDIO STREAMING Councillor Steel, Chair, advised that the meeting was being audio streamed and broadcast live to the internet and would be available for playback. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST It was noted that there were no declarations of interest in any of the items of business on the agenda.
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RECORDING OF VOTES The Committee agreed that all votes taken during the meeting would be carried out by roll call vote to ensure an accurate record. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The Minutes of Meeting of the Educational Services Committee held on 17 September 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record. OPEN FORUM The Committee noted that no open forum questions had been submitted by members of the public. OUTCOME OF 33 PERIOD WEEK CONSULTATION A report was submitted by the Chief Education Officer providing details of the outcome of the consultation undertaken with stakeholders on the introduction of a 33 period week in West Dunbartonshire secondary schools. After discussion and having heard the Senior Education Officer – Policy, Performance and Resources in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed:- (1) to note that paragraph 8.1 of the report contained an error and should have stated that an Equalities Impact screening, rather than an Equalities Impact Assessment, had been undertaken for the proposal; (2) to note the findings of the consultation and thank those who took part; and (3) to note that in order to address the feedback received, Education staff would initiate a short life working group, with a view to returning to the Committee with revised proposals in time to implement changes for the 2027-28 session. Note: Councillor McGinty left the meeting during consideration of this item. STRATEGY FOR EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY A report was submitted by the Chief Education Officer:- (a) providing an update on progress with delivering improved outcomes for excellence and equity; and (b) outlining how the service is building capacity for national education reform.
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After discussion and having heard the Senior Education Officer – Raising Attainment/Improving Learning, in further explanation and in answer to a Member’s question, the Committee agreed:- (1) to note the robust improvement programme implemented to deliver improved outcomes; (2) to note the programme to implement an exit from the Strategic Equity Fund; and (3) to note the current and future expectations on schools to deliver reform in curriculum, assessment and qualifications. EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE UPDATE A report was submitted by the Chief Education Officer informing of progress made to provide high quality Early Learning and Childcare in West Dunbartonshire Council. After discussion and having heard the Senior Education Officer – Early Learning and Attainment, and the Asset Manager, in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to note the progress to delivery high quality Early Learning and Childcare. Note: Councillor Oxley left the meeting at this point. SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES UPDATE REPORT A report was submitted by the Chief Education Officer informing of progress on supports to children, young people and families. After discussion and having heard the Senior Education Officer – Services for Children and Young People, in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to note progress on the plans to continue developing and improving support to children and families. Note: Councillor Martin Rooney left the meeting during consideration of this item. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT 2025/26 TO 31 AUGUST 2025 (PERIOD 5) A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the financial performance of the Educational Services revenue budget to 31 August 2025 (Period 5) and the forecast position at 31 March 2026.
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After discussion and having heard the Business Unit Finance Partner (Education) in further explanation, the Committee agreed to note the contents of the report which showed that the 2025/26 revenue account had a projected adverse revenue variance of £0.339m (0.25% of the total budget) after use of earmarked reserves. Note: Councillor William Rooney left the meeting during consideration of this item. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CAPITAL BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT 2025/26 TO 31 AUGUST 2025 (PERIOD 5) A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the Educational Services capital programme to 31 August 2025 (Period 5). Having heard the Business Unit Finance Partner (Education) in further explanation, the Committee agreed:- (1) to note the current position of the 2025/26 Educational Services capital budget; and (2) to note that the project life total was currently on track. COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON Councillor Steel, Chair, concluded the meeting by wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. The meeting closed at 11.40 a.m.